Mexican gas plant explosion kills 26

At least 26 people are killed when a gas facility in northern Mexico erupts in flames.

The explosion at a Pemex natural gas compression station happened near the city of Reynosa - a key entry point for natural gas to Mexico from the United States.

Of the dead, four were Pemex staff and 22 were contract workers.

A number of people were also injured, according to local media.

At a news conference late on Tuesday, the company's director confirmed the casualties and promised that the cause of the blaze would be investigated.

The fire also disrupted gas distribution in the area after pipelines were shut as a safety precaution.

But company officials said gas imports from the United Stated were not affected.