Venezuela declares "in final phase" at the Amuay Refinery fire

"Have met!" "Extinguished that fire and now are assessments and assurance of the entire area to be concluded the emergency", the Energy Minister, Rafael Ramirez has said. Tasks might end "this afternoon"

The fire in the third tank of the Paraguana refiner Centrein Amuay, had restarted due to "remnants of fuel", but is already in its "final phase", according to the Deputy Minister of public safety, Nestor Reverol, told the AFP news agency.

"A few minutes ago was off the tank." "What we are seeing now is that remaining fuel and noon are burning it will be off", promised the officer.

For its part, the Energy Minister and President of PDVSA, Rafael Ramírez, explained that you must wait until the phase of cooling the tanks to continue operations at the Amuay refinery.

He also pointed out that we must prevent "leakage, spill and connection that has been damaged". "The biggest problem we had in the refinery was resolved," he added.

The oil company had reported that fire which affected the 204, the storage tank had been totally extinct, according to a report of the Venezuelan television VTV. There are still small pockets check to avoid is to revive the flames.

The Amuay 204 tank was the third hit by flames. The other two fire had already been suppressed. "Extinct in its entirety in the 204 tank fire." Same with firefighters contingency plan is maintained", reported the worker of Amuay, José Uray, operations on the morning of Tuesday."

The explosion and consequent fire of the greater Venezuela oil refinery was recorded on Saturday, 25 August at dawn. According to the latest official update, the dead totalled 41 (the figure was corrected this Tuesday), while there are dozens of injuries.

Continue operating in the area. The public prosecutor's Office receives complaints of missing persons, which so far amounted to six, including three minors.

Amuay is the heart of the Venezuelan economy, so it is feared the accident to bring severe oil supply and finance problems. However, since the Government of Hugo Chávez has denied that this was going to happen.

The Friday before the tragedy, residents had warned the authorities by a strong gas odor. From the opposition, also point against Chavez, since the plant operators had been referred to "proselytising activities".