Mexico oil pipeline blast kills 22

A massive blast along a state-owned pipeline in central Mexico killed 22 people, injured 32 others, and engulfed dozens of homes in a raging inferno.

Puebla state secretary Valentin Meneses said the pre-dawn explosion occurred along the Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) pipeline in the town of Texmelucan, where thieves were trying to steal fuel. Early indications suggested it was caused by a perforation of the pipeline during the attempted theft, ITAR-TASS reports citing local media.

"A criminal gang punctured the pipeline of state-owned Pemex, which spilled fuel out of control because of the high degree of pressure," said Mr Meneses.

"The streets began to flood, then came a spark and we saw rivers of fire in the streets."

Some 83 homes were partially damaged and 32 were completely destroyed in the blaze, according to Mr Meneses, who noted that emergency crews had managed to bring the flames under control. Officials had initially reported that at least 11 people were killed.