An apparently accidental explosion in a supermarket, possibly caused by a faulty electrical transformer, left at least 23 dead and 12 injured this Saturday, November 1, in a town in northern Mexico, according to local authorities.
“Unfortunately, minors are among the victims,” said the governor of the state of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, in a video posted on social networks. “I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to establish the causes of the accident and determine who is responsible.”
The accident occurred in Hermosillo, capital of the state of Sonora, in a store of the low-cost chain Waldo’s. State prosecutor Gustavo Salas said most of the victims died from inhalation of toxic gases. He said that 12 injured people were treated in Hermosillo hospitals.
“The working hypothesis is that the incident was accidental and the investigation is about a transformer that was inside the store,” stated the Sonora Prosecutor’s Office on X Street. “But we do not rule out any avenue,” clarified Gustavo Salas.
Customers caught in flames
“As soon as the firefighters allow access to the interior, while they continue to clear the rubble, the structure has been inspected and the experts can enter in complete safety, it will be possible to precisely determine the causes of the fire and, if necessary, corroborate the path followed by the investigation,” the judicial body emphasizes.
In a statement shared on its social networks, the Waldo’s store chain expressed its “deep” sadness over the deaths. He promised to collaborate “with total transparency and responsibility” with the authorities responsible for the investigation.
The explosion occurred around 2:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. French time), and neighboring businesses decided to close their doors to prevent the fire from spreading, according to the newspaper El Universal.
According to Mexican media, customers sought refuge inside the store after the explosion and were trapped in the flames. Immediately afterwards, emergency services arrived at the scene.
Condolences from the Mexican president
“From the first moments, the emergency, security and health services acted with great professionalism and commitment, controlling the situation and saving lives,” said the governor.
Images released by the press show the façade of the building blackened by the fire and its windows destroyed. The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, for her part, expressed her condolences on Day X “to the families and loved ones of the deceased.”
He indicated that he was “in contact” with Governor Alfonso Durazo in order to “provide him with the necessary support.” “I asked the Minister of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, to send a support team to help the families and the injured,” he added.
Authorities asked people to avoid the area and canceled celebrations scheduled for Saturday night in the city to mark the Day of the Dead.
Source: BFM TV
