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Explosion in Mexico fireworks market leaves at least 10 dead Explosion in Mexico fireworks market leaves at least 10 dead Mexico fireworks market explosion leaves at least 27 dead
(35 minutes later)
An explosion has ripped through Mexico’s best-known fireworks market on the northern outskirts of the capital, reportedly killing at least 10 people and injuring scores more. An explosion has ripped through Mexico’s best-known fireworks market on the northern outskirts of the capital, reportedly killing at least 27 people and injuring scores more.
The explosion sent a huge plume of charcoal-gray smoke billowing into the sky.The explosion sent a huge plume of charcoal-gray smoke billowing into the sky.
National Civil Protection coordinator Luis Felipe Puente told Milenio TV that 60 people were hurt but he had no immediate report of any fatalities at the open-air San Pablito market in Tultepec, in the state of Mexico. A government official told Reuters that at least 10 people had died. The blast at the open-air San Pablito fireworks market in Tultepec, about 20 miles (32 km) north of Mexico City, also injured at least 70 others, according to a tweet from federal police. A local emergency services worker told Reuters that at least 27 people had died.
Images broadcast by Milenio showed smoke rising from the scorched ground and fireworks stands. Emergency crews were attending to victims and hosing down hotspots. Isidro Sanchez, the head of Tultepec emergency services, said the death toll was preliminary as rescue workers scoured the site.
Puente said some nearby homes were also damaged. The scene remained dangerous and he asked people not to come within 3 miles (5km) to avoid danger or hampering the emergency response. Puente added that there was no choice but to let any unexploded fireworks burn off. Images broadcast by Milenio TV showed smoke rising from the scorched ground and fireworks stands. Emergency crews were attending to victims and hosing down hotspots.
National Civil Protection coordinator Luis Felipe Puente told Milenio TV that some nearby homes were also damaged. The scene remained dangerous and he asked people not to come within 3 miles (5km) to avoid danger or hampering the emergency response. Puente added that there was no choice but to let any unexploded fireworks burn off.
In 2005, a fire engulfed the same market, touching off a chain of explosions that levelled hundreds of stalls just ahead of Mexico’s Independence Day. A similar fire at the San Pablito Market also destroyed hundreds of stands in September 2006.In 2005, a fire engulfed the same market, touching off a chain of explosions that levelled hundreds of stalls just ahead of Mexico’s Independence Day. A similar fire at the San Pablito Market also destroyed hundreds of stands in September 2006.
Many in Mexico traditionally celebrate holidays – including Christmas and New Year’s – by setting off noisy firecrackers and rockets.Many in Mexico traditionally celebrate holidays – including Christmas and New Year’s – by setting off noisy firecrackers and rockets.