At least 26 people are dead after an explosion tore through Venezuela's biggest oil refinery on Saturday. More than 50 people were wounded in the blast halting the facility's operations in the OPEC nation's worst industrial accident in recent memory.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL RESIDENT, ALEXANDER AULAJE, SAYING:

"I live a few meters from the refinery. It was a very strong explosion. It blew out all the windows of my house. It also broke 96 windows in other people's house, which was fatal. I've been living here for 28 years and for me this is the first work accident of this type. It was truly horrible, huge."

Residents who live bear by are worried about the fallout.

The force of the blast, triggered by a gas leak, damaged nearby homes with officials saying a 10-year-old child was among the dead.

A woman clutches a baby as she talks with neighbors about their very limited options and their very real fears.

Authorities told Reuters that none of the production units at the Amuay refinery were affected and that there were no plans to halt exports.