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Explosion Hits State Oil Company Building In Mexico City

By: Eyder Peralta // January 31, 2013
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What appears to be a significant explosion has rocked the Pemex tower in Mexico City. Television images are showing smoke billowing from the glass high rise in the Mexican capital.

Pemex, the state-owned oil company, tweeted that an explosion happened in the administrative building next to the oil giant's headquarters and that injuries have been reported.

The towers, Pemex said, have been evacuated.

El Universal, one of Mexico's biggest newspapers, is reporting that at least 30 are injured.

This is a breaking news story. We'll update this page with more as it develops.

Update at 6:48 p.m. ET. An Explosion, Then Rubble:

Cristian Obele, who was in the building when the explosion happened, tells Milenio that employees did not receive any warning.

"Something exploded and we were covered in rubble," Obele said.

Update at 6:27 p.m. ET. Live Coverage:

Milenio Television is carrying live coverage in Spanish. The television station is showing images of chaos: medical teams tending to those injured; throngs of people making their way out of the building. Pictures tweeted by Milenio show firefighters sifting through the rubble in a search of those injured.

Update at 6:15 p.m. ET. Source Of The Explosion:

Citing state sources, El Universal reports the explosion happened due to the overheating of an air conditioner.

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