Two people have died and at least 35 others were affected following a hydrogen sulfide leak at a PEMEX facility in Deer Park, officials confirmed on Thursday.
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The severity of the injuries remains unknown, as officials have been unable to access the affected unit, they added.
Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton reassured residents that the chemical leak had not spread to the surrounding areas, despite the odor of hydrogen sulfide being noticeable in the air.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated that while the situation is still evolving, it appears contained to the facility and poses no threat to the external community.
In a statement to ABC News, PEMEX Deer Park reported that the gas release occurred at one of its operating units at 4:40 p.m. CDT.
Emergency response teams, including Channel Industrial Mutual Aid (CIMA), Harris County Emergency Management personnel, and other government agencies, are actively managing the situation, the facility noted.
State Highway 225 has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, PEMEX said.
“Some community members may notice flaring as we work to safely manage the situation,” the statement added. “We are closely monitoring air quality and have not detected any offsite impacts.”
Officials from Pasadena, Texas, confirmed on X that the leaked chemical was hydrogen sulfide.
The PEMEX refinery processes crude oil from multiple countries to produce gasoline, aviation fuel, diesel, and ship fuel.
