Fireworks blast kills 56 in Mexico
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AT LEAST 56 people were killed and 348 injured as three tons of gunpowder stored beneath an illegal fireworks warehouse ignited on Sunday in Celaya, a market town in central Mexico, 150 miles north-east of the capital. Ten city blocks lay smouldering, strewn with broken glass and severed limbs, after five blasts rocked the town centre. Truckloads of scattered fruits and vegetables were stewed from the heat.
The Mexican army cordoned off the entire market area within two hours as residents mourned victims laid out in the school gym. Most died instantly, and officials were struggling to identify their remains.
Skyrockets and firecrackers displayed in a shop belonging to Nacho Ojeda caught fire at 10.25am, and tongues of flame were seen shooting from the roofline by passengers at the bus depot two blocks away after a double detonation. Red Cross volunteers and firemen went to the scene, but were enveloped by flames 20 minutes later when the butane gas tank of an adjoining chicken rotisserie ignited. The force of this explosion, heard half a mile away, flipped an ambulance and trapped rescue workers. Onlookers were caught by this third blast, which set off two more caches of fireworks.
"It was like a war. We were carrying bloodsoaked bodies while people were screaming in desperation," said Juan Manuel Fernandez, a policeman at the scene. Officials investigating the orginal fire uncovered a second warehouse of rockets belonging to Mr Ojeda. Two years ago, he had been warned to store his goods properly.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments