Venezuela's Chavez visits site of deadly refinery blast

President Hugo Chavez arrived at the Amuay oil refinery in northwestern Venezuelan on Sunday, one day after an explosion there killed at least 41 people.

Speaking to reporters, he said it was too early to speculate what could have caused the blast, which left more than 80 people injured.

"There was a leak. The gas formed a cloud and it exploded. We must investigate why," said Chavez.

The president has declared three days of mourning.

He said officials have begun a preliminary investigation, but as of yet have been unable to access the exact spot where the explosion occurred.

The early Saturday morning blast damaged refinery infrastructure and ripped through nearby houses.