Strong explosion at a refinery in the USA, and authorities have issued a state of emergency, urging residents in the area to take shelter immediately.

An explosion occurred on Monday at the Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, prompting authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for residents in the surrounding area. Emergency management officials warned that, following the incident, a fire was triggered in one of the refinery's units, and all personnel were accounted for safely. Witnesses reported a loud bang that shook windows, and local media captured high flames and a plume of black smoke rising from the refinery. Located about 140 kilometers east of Houston, the Valero refinery has nearly 800 employees and processes heavy sour crude, with a capacity of approximately 435,000 barrels per day. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of the community.