21 dead, 70 injured after explosion in gas pipeline in Mexico

At least 21 people have been killed and more than 70 others injured after a fiery explosion at a pipeline leaking fuel in central Mexico.

Omar Fayad, the governor of Hidalgo, said on Twitter that more than 70 others were injured in the explosion in Tlahuelilpan, a town about 80 miles north of Mexico City.

The state-run energy company, Pemex, said that the explosion was caused by an illegal fuel tap at the Tuxpan-Tula pipeline.

The country has been plagued by fuel thefts, and Mr. Fayad called on Mexicans “not to be accomplices.” He said the practice was not only illegal, but it also “puts your life and families at risk.”