Leak blamed as Mexico explosion death toll rises
by Staff and agencies in Coatzacoalcos from on (#1BC9K)
Soldiers on guard at Pemex petrochemical plant in Gulf port of Coatzacoalcos, with relatives waiting for news of missing workers
A leak has been blamed by Mexican authorities for the petrochemical plant blast that killed at least 24 people in the Gulf port of Coatzacoalcos.
The Mexican oil giant Pemex confirmed the deaths on Thursday and said 19 more remained in hospital, 13 with serious injuries, as it grappled with the latest in a series of fatal accidents to batter the company.