Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico – A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday as an explosion rocked the Akal Bravo platform in the Campeche Sound, claiming the lives of two workers from the COTER oil company. The victims, Emmanuel Arévalo Xiu and Julio César Rojas Pintor, were both employees of COTER and were on duty when the explosion occurred.
Reports from Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) revealed that a total of 14 workers were impacted by the explosion on the Akal-B Platform, part of the Cantarell Production Asset in the Campeche Sound. The incident, which took place at 5 pm on Saturday, left several workers with severe burns, with some in critical condition.
Among the affected workers were also three individuals from the DIAVAZ company, who were fortunately discharged after being evaluated at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) hospital. However, the situation for the COTER workers was more dire, with one individual being treated and discharged, while others sustained first and second-degree burns and are currently hospitalized, with one worker in serious condition.
Tragically, one worker from COTER lost his life due to the explosion, which initially prompted Pemex to issue a statement. The deceased worker and those injured were initially treated at the Zone 4 Hospital of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Ciudad del Carmen. Moreover, one worker had to be transferred to Mexico City for further medical care due to the severity of his injuries.
The Akal Bravo platform explosion has once again underscored the dangers that workers in the oil industry face daily, highlighting the importance of stringent safety measures and protocols. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are underway as authorities work to determine what led to this tragic incident that claimed two lives and left several others injured in the Campeche Sound.