Six people were sent to the hospital and four are missing after a Texas pipeline exploded Friday.
A dredger in Corpus Christi hit an underground pipeline, causing an explosion around 8 p.m.
Coast Guard crews respond to a dredging fire in the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Aug. 21, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Authorities say several people were hospitalized after an explosion near the Port of Texas when a dredger hit a natural gas pipeline in the water. (US Coast Guard via AP)
Corpus Christi Fire Department Chief Robert Rocha said firefighters “are witnessing severe fire and smoke conditions.” The supply line that gave rise to the fire was shut down late in the morning.
Rocha said one in six people taken to the hospital was in serious condition. The department transported four of the injured people, while the Coast Guard transported the remaining two.
In this photo published by the US Coast Guard crews respond to a dredger in the fire of the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel, August 21, in Corpus Christi, Texas (US Coast Guard via AP)
The four missing people are thought to be crew members of the dredger.
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Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement on the incident, asking for all Texans “to pray for the men and women responding to the explosion and for the safety of those in an area.”
“The state of Texas is working closely with local partners in Corpus Christi as well as with the Coast Guard to assist in emergency response efforts following the blast,” Abbott said.
In this photo published by the U.S. Coast Guard, crews from the Coast Guard respond to a dredger in the fire of the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel, August 21, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Authorities say several people were hospitalized after an explosion near the Port of Texas when a dredger hit a natural gas pipeline in the water. (US Coast Guard via AP)
“The state is ready to provide additional personnel and resources needed to address this event and keep Texans in the area safe.”
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This is at least the second time a pipeline has exploded in Texas this year, with an explosion in Mont Belvieu in July. No injuries or secondary damage were reported in that incident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
