Two workers lost their lives and nearly three dozen others were injured following a hydrogen sulfide gas leak at a Pemex-operated refinery in Deer Park, Texas, on Thursday. The leak, which occurred during maintenance work on a flange, prompted an immediate shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated that multiple people were treated at the scene or transported to local hospitals.
Authorities lifted the shelter-in-place order after air monitoring indicated no danger to the surrounding community, although the gas release caused initial concerns due to the toxic nature of hydrogen sulfide, which is dangerous at high levels. Local officials, including Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton, confirmed that no hazardous levels of gas had escaped beyond the refinery.
Pemex halted operations at two units to mitigate the impact of the leak. The investigation into the cause is ongoing, but access to the site remains restricted due to safety concerns, with authorities expecting further assessments on Friday. This incident marks the second major emergency in Deer Park in recent weeks, following a pipeline fire last month that led to widespread evacuations.
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