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Dozens killed in Mexico fireworks blast | |
(35 minutes later) | |
An explosion at a fireworks market outside Mexico City has killed at least 26 people, officials say. | |
Dozens of other people were injured as the blast hit the San Pablito fireworks market, about 20 miles (32km) outside the city. | |
Video from the scene showed a large number of fireworks rocketing into the air as they caught fire. | Video from the scene showed a large number of fireworks rocketing into the air as they caught fire. |
Dozens of paramedics and police attended the scene. The cause of the explosions is not yet known. | |
Locals have been told to avoid the area and keep roads clear. | Locals have been told to avoid the area and keep roads clear. |
State governor Eruviel Avila said the top priority was to care for the injured, and officials had been dispatched to the scene. | State governor Eruviel Avila said the top priority was to care for the injured, and officials had been dispatched to the scene. |
Fireworks continued to explode after the initial blast, as smoke billowed from the area in thick black clouds. | Fireworks continued to explode after the initial blast, as smoke billowed from the area in thick black clouds. |
Photos from police and medical personnel at the scene showed several injured people among the destroyed market stalls, with brick buildings scorched by the heat. | Photos from police and medical personnel at the scene showed several injured people among the destroyed market stalls, with brick buildings scorched by the heat. |
"The sound of blasts started to go off and we thought it was a nearby fireworks workshop," local resident Alejandra Pretel told the AFP news agency. | "The sound of blasts started to go off and we thought it was a nearby fireworks workshop," local resident Alejandra Pretel told the AFP news agency. |
However, she said it soon became clear the entire market was at risk. | However, she said it soon became clear the entire market was at risk. |
"My neighbours said they felt everything shake, but I didn't realise because I was running away," she said. | "My neighbours said they felt everything shake, but I didn't realise because I was running away," she said. |
The president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, tweeted condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. | The president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, tweeted condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. |
He also said members of the defence forces were assisting in the emergency. | He also said members of the defence forces were assisting in the emergency. |
The San Pablito market was heavily damaged by similar fires in September 2005, when a chain of explosions just before the country's independence day celebrations injured dozens of people. | The San Pablito market was heavily damaged by similar fires in September 2005, when a chain of explosions just before the country's independence day celebrations injured dozens of people. |