REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEXICO CITY -- The death toll from a fuel truck explosion in Mexico's southeast state of Tabasco in late March climbed to 20 Wednesday, officials said.
Victims numbered 19 and 20 both died Wednesday, the Tabasco State Prosecutor's Office (FGE) and the Health Secretariat reported separately.
"We report that at this time the body of the 19th victim of the gas truck explosion on the Cardenas-Coatzacoalcos Hwy. is being taken to the Semefo (Forensic Medical Service)," the FGE said via Twitter.
The victim was identified as Ana Patricia Sanchez Madrigal (24).
Minutes earlier, the Health Secretariat reported that Abimael Candelero Correa (28) died of his injuries at the hospital where he was being treated.
The accident occurred on March 26 when the dual-tank fuel truck carrying 60,000 liters of gasoline veered off the highway and crashed into nearby trees.
According to media reports, local residents were drawn to the scene to collect the spilled fuel, with two killed instantly and 34 others severely injured after the tanks exploded.
Mexico's Milenio daily cited the FGE as saying "the victims ... tried to collect the fuel of the overturned tanks, not heeding the barricade tape placed by members of Civil Protection."
The company that owned the truck, Transportadora de Liquidos del Norte, claimed the accident was caused by armed robbers trying to steal the cargo.
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