Death toll from Venezuelan refinery explosion rises to 19

Balls of fire rose over Amuay refinery near Punto Fijo, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012. A huge explosion rocked Venezuela’s biggest oil refinery, killing at least nineteen people and injuring dozens, an official said. AP Photo/Daniela Primera

CARACAS – The death toll from an oil refinery explosion in Venezuela Saturday has risen to 19 while the number of injured increased to 53, a top local official announced.

“We have now counted approximately 19 dead, including, unfortunately a 10-year-old child,” Falcon State Governor Stella Lugo told state-run VTV television, adding that the number of those hurt stood at 53.

She was earlier quoted by the state-run agency AVN as saying the explosion had occurred at a refining facility located in the town of Amuay.