Gas Station Shut Down Over Permit Violations

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Authorities in Quintana Roo have suspended operations at a gas station owned by the company Silza, part of the Tomza Group, after it was found to be operating without the required local permits for storage and distribution.

The station, located in the Villas del Sol neighborhood, had been the subject of protests for over seven months. Residents had opposed its operation, stating the company lacked the necessary permits. Protesters also highlighted the facility's proximity to local schools, specifically a kindergarten and an elementary school, and demanded government intervention to halt its activities.

The confirmation of the station's irregular status came following inspections that were initiated after a recent accident in the Iztapalapa area of Mexico City. "The gas station, located in Villas del Sol, had been the subject of previous protests due to its proximity to schools, but its irregularity was confirmed following post-accident inspections in Iztapalapa," officials stated.

The Energy Safety, Environment, and Security Agency (ASEA) and the Mexico City Attorney General's Office are investigating potential responsibilities in the case. Silza now faces the risk of having its federal permits revoked due to failures in safety protocols.

This case underscores vulnerabilities in the regulation of the gas sector. The Tomza Group has been involved in at least 14 accidents since 2007.