Gas leak forces evacuation in Puebla; authorities work to contain spill

A significant liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leak prompted an evacuation in San Matías Tlalancaleca, Puebla, early this morning. The incident, believed to have originated from an illegal tap, created a large gas cloud extending approximately 500 meters long and 50 meters wide near the "Cuatro Caminos" area.

Emergency response teams, including Civil Protection and disaster risk management personnel, along with authorities from all three government levels, acted swiftly to protect the population. Precautionary evacuations were carried out for residents in the vicinity of the Junta Auxiliar of San Francisco Tláloc. The alert was disseminated through public safety patrols and community leaders, ensuring a timely evacuation of the affected zones.

Preliminary investigations suggest the leak is linked to an illegal tapping of gas lines, though official confirmation awaits further investigation. Specialized teams from Pemex, state firefighters, and Civil Protection are on-site working to contain the flow. A controlled burn is being conducted in the area to aid in the sealing of the tap responsible for the leak.

State government officials have assured the public that there is no immediate risk, and all operations are proceeding under established safety protocols. This incident occurs amidst a reported increase in illegal gas line taps in Puebla, with the Institute for Municipal Management, Administration, and Linkage (Igavim) documenting a significant rise in such activities, particularly in the first quarter of the year. Puebla registered 157 illegal gas taps during this period, a 35.34% increase compared to the previous year.