Death toll in Mexico petrochemical plant explosion rises up to 28

More than 130 people in all suffered various injuries Wednesday when the explosion rocked the plant in Coatzacoalcos, about 600 km southeast of Mexico City.

The death toll from a huge explosion at a petrochemical plant in Mexico’s southeastern Gulf coast on Wednesday went up to 28 people, after four more bodies were recovered, the state oil company said on Friday night.

State-run oil giant Pemex's Pajaritos petrochemical plant in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, after an explosion at the site killed at least 28 people. (AFP)

Petroleos Mexicanos said in a statement that some workers were still missing, but did not specify a number. It had said on Thursday that eight workers were unaccounted for.

Pemex said some areas of the plant had not yet been searched. Earlier in the day, it said drones and tracker dogs were aiding the search.

The company said 18 people were still hospitalized. More than 130 people in all suffered various injuries Wednesday when the explosion rocked the plant in Coatzacoalcos, about 600 km southeast of Mexico City.

Pemex has said the explosion happened after a leak but has not determined the source.

The Clorados 3 plant of Petroquimica Mexicana de Vinilo produces the hazardous industrial chemical vinyl chloride.