PEMEX officials have confirmed that two people died and 13 others were hospitalized after a hydrogen sulfide gas release at their Deer Park facility. Harris County Sheriff, Ed Gonzalez said 35 people were treated at the site Thursday.
Recommended Videos
PEMEX Deer Park CEO Guy Hackwell addressed the situation in a statement released Friday.
“Yesterday was a tragic day for us here at PEMEX Deer Park. We are deeply saddened that two people died at our site and that other workers were hospitalized. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased and the workers who were impacted,” said Hackwell.
He also emphasized that the company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to support all employees.
READ MORE: Deer Park’s emergency alert system failed during deadly PEMEX gas leak; here’s what we know
The incident happened around 4:40 p.m. at one of the plant’s operating units, involved a release of hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic and flammable gas. The release prompted emergency agencies to issue a shelter-in-place order for the City of Deer Park and surrounding areas, which was lifted later that evening. Flaring at the site, part of the process to safely contain the gas release, finished early this morning.
PEMEX confirmed they are working closely with federal, state, and local agencies as they continue to investigate the cause of the incident. More updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
Timeline of the incident and response
The incident began when hydrogen sulfide, a hazardous gas known for its “rotten egg” odor, was released at the PEMEX plant, which led to the evacuation of the facility and sent plumes of gas into the surrounding area.
The release caused immediate concern, and multiple emergency agencies, including Deer Park’s Emergency Management Team, the Pasadena Fire Department, and Harris County Pollution Control, responded to monitor air quality and assess the risk to the community.
The entire City of Deer Park was under a shelter-in-place order, later extended to north Pasadena. Highways were shut down, and residents in the affected areas reported smelling the noxious gas for hours before being given the all-clear.
The shelter-in-place was lifted around 9:30 p.m., but residents continued to voice concerns over lingering odors and the safety of the air quality.
The investigation into the PEMEX facility’s gas release is ongoing, and officials are working to determine what led to the hydrogen sulfide leak.
PEMEX has confirmed that the incident was contained to their site and that flaring was used to safely manage the excess gas.