Mexico blast kills 32 flagging oil giant’s poor safety record

Rescue workers pulled out more bodies from debris at the headquarters of Mexican state oil giant Pemex, where an explosion that killed at least 32 people has thrown a spotlight back on the state-run company’s poor safety record.

Scenes of confusion and chaos outside the downtown tower block in Mexico City have dealt another blow to Pemex’s image just as Mexico’s new president is seeking to court outside investment for the 75-year-old monopoly.

The blast ripped through a Pemex building next to the 50-storey skyscraper, and chief executive officer Emilio Lozoya said the number of confirmed dead now stood at 32, up from 25 overnight. A further 121 were injured, he added.