The accident occurred at around 7:00 pm local time (0100 GMT) at a pipeline spot in the community of San Primitivo of the municipality of Tlahuelilpan, when dozens of people gathered around the leak to collect fuel.

Video footage showed that the oil sprouting metres into the air as people approached with buckets at about 5:04 pm local time (2304 GMT).

State-owned petroleum company Pemex said that the pipeline had been illegally tapped.

Specialized staff are responding to the fire on the site, which is not yet under control, Pemex said.