Payam Javan: At least two workers were killed and 35 others were injured following a hydrogen sulfide leak at the PEMEX oil refinery in Deer Park, Texas, on Thursday. The leak prompted temporary shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents as emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene. The deadly incident occurred in the late afternoon, and the highly toxic gas, known for its rotten egg odor, spread into the air, requiring swift action from local authorities.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed the deaths and stated that the workers were engaged in repairs when the gas leak occurred. Emergency triage was conducted for the injured, though it remains unclear how many received treatment on-site versus being transported to medical facilities. Due to the dynamic and hazardous nature of the situation, entry into the affected unit was delayed for several hours to ensure safety and complete decontamination protocols.

PEMEX, the Mexican state-owned oil company, halted operations at the plant and is investigating the cause of the leak. Local authorities, including the Deer Park and Pasadena city officials, issued and later lifted a shelter-in-place order after air monitoring confirmed no further risk to the community. State Highway 225 was briefly closed, and the sheriff’s office, along with the fire marshal and local police, will lead an investigation into the tragic event.