Two Dead, Dozens Injured in PEMEX Deer Park Leak; Shelter Orders Issued, Highway 225 Closed

Oct 11, 2024, 12:30 PM

A hydrogen sulfide leak at the 312,500-barrel-per-day PEMEX refinery in Deer Park, Texas, on Thursday evening resulted in the deaths of two workers and injured at least 35 others, including 13 who remain hospitalized. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m., involving a maintenance subcontractor, and prompted shelter-in-place orders for residents in Deer Park and Pasadena, as well as the diversion of Highway 225 traffic. The orders were lifted after air monitoring indicated no danger to the public. The Deer Park Office of Emergency Management acknowledged issues with its alert system during the incident. Authorities, including Harris County officials, are investigating the cause of the leak at the facility owned by Mexico's state oil company PEMEX.