Mexican Military Deployed To Help Battle Fire At Oil Facility In Cuba

The Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA) of Mexico outlined in a statement Tuesday details of a plan for a humanitarian delegation to fight a fire at an oil refinery in the industrial city of Matanzas, Cuba.

Mexico guaranteed resources and specialists to the Caribbean island after the "Disaster Relief Plan for the Civilian Population" was detailed by the army, Luis Cresencio Sandoval said in the statement.

The delegation is comprised of 63 personnel from various specialties of the army, including engineers, health care workers, search and rescue teams in collapsed structures and security as well as four air force aircraft and 20 engineers from PEMEX, the state-owned oil company.

The military and air force are dedicated to bringing medical attention and fire-fighting assistance, according to the military.

PEMEX engineers joined task teams and specialists from Venezuela and Cuba in outlining technical procedures and a strategy to extinguish the fire.

An air bridge was also established with which 13 "logistical" flights have been carried out using double crews to guarantee continuous support.

The flights are meant to transport supplies, including 300 kilograms (661 pounds) of medication, 500 kilograms(1,102 pounds) of supplies, and 44,800 liters (11,835 gallons) of fire-fighting foam and other provisions.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said at a news conference Monday that 85 specialists from PEMEX and elements from SEDENA were sent to help put out the fire.

"We sent support to the brotherly people of Cuba due to a fire in some fuel tanks. They were specialists from PEMEX and elements from the Secretariat of National Defense and we hope the fire can be extinguished," he said.

A lightning strike Aug. 6 ignited a fire in Matanzas that engulfed the "Supertanqueros" oil refinery.

Nineteen people were hospitalized, with two in severe condition and one death reported, according to the Cuban government. -