Dozens killed and injured in Mexico fireworks market explosion (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
A huge explosion has rocked a pyrotechnics market in Greater Mexico City, reportedly killing over two dozen people and injuring at least 70 others, including many children. Eyewitnesses captured the exact moment of the enormous blast on video.
At least 29 people died as a result of the explosions, Mexico State Gov. Eruviel Avila told local news outlets, according to AP. The initial incident took the lives of 26 people while three more died after being escorted to local hospitals.
At least 72 people, including children, are being treated for burns injuries, according to State Health Secretary Cesar Nomar Gomez Monge.
Avila, meanwhile, noted that at least 13 children who suffered burns to more than 90 percent of their bodies are being sent to Galveston, Texas for treatment.
A series of blasts happened at around 2:50pm at a fireworks market, San Pablito. The explosions were even heard in the nearby towns of Cacalco and Tultitlan, locals wrote on Twitter.
Here's drone video of the aftermath. 60 reported injured so far. https://t.co/0SiEmDjWLo#Tultepecpic.twitter.com/ss8NNnivns
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) December 20, 2016
Emergency services have been dispatched to the scene.
Avanzan unidades de emergencia de mun aledaños, permitan el libre paso hacia tultepec ya el ejército también en el lugar pic.twitter.com/meJbnGlTHp
— FIRE NEWS MX (@firenewsmx1) December 20, 2016
Firefighters, policemen, and paramedics from the nearby municipalities of Coacalco, Tultitlan, Cuautitlan Izcalli and Zumpango, were mobilized along with State Security Commission units, Quadratin reports.
Apoyando en Tultepec Estado de México, explosion de mercado de pirotecnia #CondoresAmbulanciapic.twitter.com/lgptpEEvdV
— Condores (@Condores_SSP) December 20, 2016
Members of the Mexican Army also arrived to help with rescue and evacuation operations.
@inakimanero@Siempre889#tultepec Así se vio pic.twitter.com/dOwEyV2Opq
— Enrique Valencia (@valencia67) December 20, 2016
The city in which it happened, Tultepec, is known for its pyrotechnics industry. Every year, it holds a weeklong festival with fireworks competitions among producers.
@JavierLopezDiaz explosión en el mercado de cohetes de tultepec pic.twitter.com/rYLY44tbyZ
— h (@hecko21) December 20, 2016
The National Pyrotechnic Festival is an annual nine-day event in March, which promotes both a local tradition of producing and using fireworks.
Fuerte explosión en TULTEPEC oremos por ellos pic.twitter.com/CfxOpgOT7u
— Nancy Rodea (@NanRodSi) December 20, 2016
Accidents involving fireworks are increasing in Tultepec this time of the year, as locals engage in Christmas celebrations.
Esperemos que en Tultepec no haya pérdidas humanas ni heridos por culpa de la pirotecnia pic.twitter.com/qHwojUxKVY
— Lalo González (@LaloGonzalezM) December 20, 2016
Explosión en Tultepec pic.twitter.com/OnCEATaIpv
— Arturo Navarrete (@ArturoHNavarret) December 20, 2016