The fire which ignited after an explosion at the PDVSA Muscar Gas Plant on November 11, 2024, in Venezuela. Photo: La Noticia de Hoy.
A strong explosion was reported in Venezuela at the Muscar Gas Plant, located in Punta de Mata, Monagas state, belonging to the state-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), causing a fire that has now been brought under control.
The president of the Venezuelan state oil company, Héctor Pérez, reported in a statement that five people were injured as a result of the fire on the Muscar-Soto 26 gas pipeline, that occurred this Monday, November 11.
In the statement, Obregón explained that a multidisciplinary security team is working and adhering to protocols, to safeguard the PDVSA workers and residents of nearby communities.
Regarding the injured, it was announced that specialized medical attention was guaranteed and that they are working to control the situation in order to determine the circumstances of the incident, “that point to an attack on the industry.”
Preventive closure
A preventive closure was carried out on the roads near the plant, as a safety measure, in view of the presence of the fire and the toxic cloud that could have arisen as a result of the explosion.
Local authorities urged people to remain calm and follow evacuation instructions in the surrounding areas to avoid further risks.
The Muscar plant is located north of Monagas, East of Venezuela, in the Ezequiel Zamora municipality, between the Musipán and Carito oil fields. This is a key facility in the country’s gas production.
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Grenade thrown at PDVSA-Lagunillas
Simultaneously, unidentified individuals threw a grenade at the PDVSA Puerto Zulima Norte facilities, located in Lagunillas (Zulia), West of Venezuela, according to military sources cited by Últimas Noticias newspaper.
The explosive device fell specifically on the North Dock booth of the aforementioned oil company headquarters. Security personnel reported the incident, which prompted the presence of officers assigned to the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) and the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command (CONAS) Eastern Coast of the Lake, who secured the area to remove the grenade.
This event occurred hours before the Muscar gas plant incident.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/DZ
