Explosion at oil refinery in US

A massive explosion has occurred at a Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, in the United States. The incident occurred on Monday local time, AFP reported.

Immediately after the explosion, local authorities ordered residents around the refinery to take shelter in safe places. The Emergency Management Department said that a 'shelter in place' order had been issued for a large area considering the situation.

In a statement, Valero said that a fire broke out in a unit of the Port Arthur refinery. However, all workers have been found and ensuring their safety is the highest priority.

According to local media reports, a loud noise was heard during the explosion and tall flames and black smoke were seen from the refinery. The intensity of the explosion also shook the windows of nearby houses.

About 800 workers work at the refinery, located about 90 miles east of Houston. Every day, approximately 435,000 barrels of crude oil are processed here to produce gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.