Lots of questions, after the deadly hydrogen sulfide leak last night at the PEMEX plant in Deer Park.
PEMEX Deer Park CEO Guy Hackwell addressed the situation in a statement released Friday.
“Yesterday was a tragic day for us here at PEMEX Deer Park. We are deeply saddened that two people died at our site and that other workers were hospitalized. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased and the workers who were impacted,” said Hackwell.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is launching an investigation, along with OSHA.
“This is a very serious incident that caused multiple fatalities and injuries and potentially put the surrounding community at risk,” CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said.
And the Harris County Sheriff's Office did release a statement:
On October 10, 2024, at approximately 4:20 p.m., the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Homeland Security Industrial Unit responded to a high-pressure gas release at the Pemex Refinery located at 5900 State Hwy 225. This incident resulted in two fatalities and injuries to dozens of refinery workers.
Upon arrival, HCSO deputies were informed that workers were conducting maintenance on a large flange of a line carrying hydrogen sulfide. For reasons still under investigation, the flange failed.
Two workers have been confirmed deceased, and 35 workers were injured. The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office recovered the bodies of the deceased.
A collaborative response team, including local emergency services units, the Harris County Fire Marshall’s Office, and HCSO, coordinated efforts to manage the incident, secure the area, and ensure public safety. The City of Deer Park issued a shelter-in-place order to ensure the safety of the community. This order was lifted a few hours later.
The details of this incident are preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Science is performing autopsies on those who died to determine the cause of death.
HCSO is the primary agency for the criminal investigation into the incident. Findings from this investigation will be shared with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether criminal charges are appropriate, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for regulatory review.