At least 14 people have been killed — including 11 children — and scores more injured in a powerful explosion at a house where fireworks were stored in central Mexico’s Puebla state, authorities say.
Television images showed the house, which stored the fireworks and was located next to a church, tattered and in ruins, shattered pieces of its stone walls strewn in an adjacent field.
The blast occurred on Monday night (local time) in the town of Chilchotla during preparations for a local festival next week.
“A group of people lived in the house where the pyrotechnic material was stored for use in the festivities,” a Government statement said.
The ensuing blast blew out the walls and roof, destroying the home.
Nine people were killed on the spot and five more died after being taken to nearby hospitals — earlier, 30 people were reported injured.
A senior official in the Puebla state government, Diodoro Carrasco, told a local radio station that despite state laws on storing fireworks it was difficult to prevent these types of accidents.
“Unfortunately we cannot be in all places at all times … and like last night, accidents happen,” he said.
Fireworks are a mainstay of holiday celebrations in Mexico, and accidental blasts are relatively common occurrences often with fatal consequences.
A series of massive explosions destroyed a fireworks market outside the Mexican capital in December, killing at least 35 people, injuring dozens and leaving the market a charred wasteland.
Luis Felipe Puente, head of national emergency services, said he had given instructions to move forward on the ground work to issue national rules for the handling of fireworks.
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