AKIPRESS.COM - An explosion at a leaking oil pipeline has killed at least 21 people and injured 71 in central Mexico, BBC reported.

Local residents were scrambling to steal some of the leaking oil when they were engulfed in flames, said Hidalgo state governor Omar Fayad.

Dozens of people have been taken to hospitals with burns.

Television footage showed flames leaping into the night sky in the town of Tlahuelilpan, near the Tula oil refinery on Friday.

Mr Fayad later flew in a helicopter over the disaster area and promised to help residents.

At least 37 people were killed in an explosion at its Mexico City headquarters in 2013 and another 26 died in a fire at a gas facility in 2012.