What happened

An illegal tap on Pemex's Tuxpan–Tula gasoline pipeline released a high-pressure fuel geyser that drew a large crowd collecting petrol. Accumulated vapour ignited and caused an explosion and fire that ultimately killed 137 people. Mexican authorities documented the clandestine tap in the context of widespread organised fuel theft, known as huachicoleo, but did not publicly identify a cartel as responsible for this particular tap or establish that the ignition itself was deliberate. The record therefore distinguishes the criminal pipeline breach from the subsequent mass-casualty fire.

When cited sources give different casualty, damage or spill figures for this event, they’re reported side by side above rather than merged into one number. See how confidence levels work.