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Mexico’s state oil company said Tuesday that dozens of people were killed and missing in east-central Mexico after torrential rains also damaged a pipeline, causing the Pentepec River to swell 5 miles (8 kilometers).
petroleums Mexicoknown as pemexsaid in a statement that its crews had responded “immediately” to stop and control the spill around the Alamo City, one of the communities hardest hit by recent flooding.
The company did not say when the leak occurred or what exactly was spilled.
But Alamo resident Arturo De Luna said locals found out about it over the weekend. “Honestly, we are very concerned,” he said.
At least 76 people died in heavy rains that swept across several states in central and eastern Mexico from October 6 to 11. Nearly three dozen are missing and more than 100 communities remain inaccessible by road.
Alamo, along with Poza Rica, were the most affected communities in northern veracruz State. Residents in parts of Poza Rica found the walls of their homes smeared with oil after the Cajon River receded, although there was no confirmed leak.
The Pantapec River crosses northern Veracruz and supplies water for several communities, including the city of Tuxpan, where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
Tuxpan Mayor Jesus Fomperoza said Facebook On Tuesday, Pemex, Navy, security forces and Energy and Environment Agency personnel were working with local and state officials to prevent the leak from reaching municipal water systems.
He said private businesses, fishermen and others have helped set up containment barriers.
But the leakage was affecting life along the river.
De Luna, an Alamo resident, said boat services that locals use to cross and travel up and down the river have been suspended, leaving some river communities cut off.
Alejandra Jimenez, an activist with Foundation Chalchi, an NGO that focuses on protecting water resources, said it was too early to determine the environmental impact of the spill but that the ecosystem’s recovery could take years.
“The containment phase was not completed, so now they have to stop it from spreading,” he said.