CARACAS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- An explosion at an oil well in Venezuela's southwestern state of Apure injured 12 people, the daily Ultimas Noticias reported, citing sources from the regional Citizen Security Secretariat.
The incident occurred near the town of La Victoria, close to the border with Colombia.
A report by Apure's Citizen Security Secretariat said the explosion was caused by the "release of flammable gases."
Since Sunday afternoon, Venezuelan security agencies have carried out a preventive evacuation of residents living near the area where the incident occurred, according to the official agency.
The injured workers were employed by the Colven company. State oil company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. has not yet issued a statement on the incident. ■
