Gas pipe thieves in Mexico spark leak, force evacuation of thousands

About 3,000 people were evacuated in centralMexico on Friday after suspected thieves punctured a pipeline andreleased a massive cloud of gas over the area, officials said. "To guarantee the security of the inhabitants of the area, we haveevacuated at least 3,000 people and we are moving them to a temporaryhostel," tweeted Alfredo Del Mazo, governor of Mexico, one of thecountry's 32 states.The thieves were believed to have wanted to steal fuel or gas fromthe Cactus-Guadalajara pipeline, the country's main gas transportpipeline which also carries fuel.The leak released gas that gushed out with a great speed and createda white cloud above the town of Nextalpan, about 40 kilometres northof Mexico City."I heard [sirens] ... I opened the window and ... saw that some of myneighbours had gone out," one of the evacuated residents, RocioVelazquez, told Milenio Television. "There was a strong smell of gas. I made my daughters get up and wecame here in pyjamas," she said at the temporary lodgings where shewas taken.More than 500 police, firefighters, soldiers and emergency staff wereusing water to disperse the gas which started dissipating. Noinjuries were reported.Pipelines are often punctured in Mexico, where criminal gangs sellfuel and gas. In January, an explosion attributed to thieves claimed135 lives in the state of Hidalgo.