Mexican Plant Explosion Injures 8

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- An explosion at a state-owned petrochemical plant along Mexico's Gulf Coast injured eight workers, with two of them hospitalized in serious condition.

The workers were cleaning a pressure valve when a spark ignited the explosion Saturday at the Pajaritos petrochemical complex in the state of Veracruz, said Oscar Salazar Ramirez, a spokesman for the state oil monopoly Petroleos Mexicanos.

Six workers suffered minor injuries, while the other two were taken to a regional hospital for treatment for burns, Salazar told the government new agency Notimex.

Pemex firefighters put out the fire. The plant, which processes ethylene and other gases, continued to operate after the incident.