A fireworks explosion during a religious festival in central Mexico has killed at least 10 people and left 64 others injured, according to local officials. The blast occurred Saturday night at a parish in Santa Maria Canchesda, a community located in Temascalcingo within the State of Mexico. People had gathered outside a church to watch a fireworks show as part of traditional festival celebrations.
Authorities said pyrotechnic materials stored in a room used as a warehouse exploded, causing part of the church to collapse, according to bnonews.com. Rescue teams worked through the night trying to free people trapped under the debris. The State of Mexico government confirmed that 10 individuals had died and 64 were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Among those injured were several children and two priests from the church, local media reported. Health officials said the victims suffered a range of injuries including traumatic wounds, head trauma, multiple contusions, and burns of varying degrees.
Emergency workers from federal and state levels, along with military forces, set up a joint command post to manage the rescue efforts and control remaining dangers at the scene. The explosion took place next to the Nuestra Señora de la Luz church in Temascalcingo, a town with about 66,000 residents located roughly 160 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, according to a report from orlandosentinel.com. Hundreds of people were preparing to watch the fireworks show when the blast happened.
The cause of the explosion has not been determined yet, and the Mexico State Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into what occurred. A local bishop said two priests were among those hurt in the incident.
Video shared on social media showed people walking through smoke and rubble searching for survivors after the blast. Fireworks-related incidents are common in Mexico, especially during street festivals and religious events.
Nearly four years ago, a similar explosion in Huejutla, Hidalgo, injured 17 people. Emergency crews from several nearby municipalities responded to the blast, Yahoo News reported.
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