A fire broke out on the morning of Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in the perimeter area of the Olmeca Refinery in Dos Bocas, Paraíso, Tabasco, leaving five people dead. Pemex attributed the blaze to a spill of oily waters due to heavy rains and confirmed it was controlled without structural damage.
The fire occurred around 6:00 a.m. in the area of predio 1 for hydrocarbon storage, near the perimeter wall and a dock of the Administración del Sistema Portuario Nacional (ASIPONA), according to Pemex reports and social media videos. Four workers died at the scene and a fifth victim passed away during medical transfer. Victims include Fernando Arias, a security guard from Cunduacán; three from a subcontracted company and one direct Pemex employee. Intense rains since the night of March 16 caused an overflow of oily waters outside the refinery, leading to stagnation and ignition of the material. Pemex stated the fire was extinguished without damage to storage facilities, which continue operating normally. At least 100 workers received medical attention at the Paraíso Social Center before resuming duties. The state-owned company expressed condolences to families and is providing care to the injured. Salvaguardia Estratégica personnel are investigating the causes. This is the second incident in the area this year, following a minor fire on January 23, controlled without impacts.
