Canorth Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 TULTEPEC, MEXICO—The governor of the State of Mexico says three more people have died from a massive chain-reaction at a fireworks market near the capital, raising the death toll to 29. Gov. Eruviel Avila says that in addition to the 26 people who perished at the market, three more died after being hospitalized. The explosion ripped through Mexico’s best-known fireworks market on the northern outskirts of the capital Tuesday, killing 29 people, injuring scores more and sending a huge plume of charcoal-grey smoke billowing into the sky. Mexican Federal Police announced via its official Twitter account what it called the preliminary toll from the afternoon blast at the open-air San Pablito Market in Tultepec, in the State of Mexico. “My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident and my wishes for a quick recovery for the injured,” said President Enrique Pena Nieto via Twitter. Sirens wailed and a heavy scent of gunpowder lingered in the air after the afternoon blast at the market, where most of the fireworks stalls were completely levelled. The smoking, burned out shells of vehicles ringed the perimeter, and first responders and local residents wearing blue masks over their mouths combed through the rubble and ash. Firefighters hosed down still-smouldering hotspots. An explosion ripped through a fireworks market on the northern outskirts of Mexico City. National Civil Protection Coordinator Luis Felipe Puente said some nearby homes were also damaged.(@DisyuntivaTV/Twitter) Crescencia Francisco Garcia arrived in the afternoon to buy fireworks and said she was near the middle of the grid of stalls when the explosions began around 2:30 p.m. “All of a sudden it started booming,” the 41-year-old Mexico City resident said. “I and the others surrounding me all took off running.” Eventually Garcia was able to find her daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren who were waiting in a car just inside the perimeter fence. The Mexican Red Cross said it sent 10 ambulances with 50 paramedics to the scene. National Civil Protection Coordinator Luis Felipe Puente told Milenio television that some nearby homes were also damaged. The scene remained dangerous and he asked people not to come within 5 kilometres to avoid hampering the emergency response. Fireworks continued to pop off long after the blast, and Puente added that there was no choice but to let any unexploded fireworks be consumed. The San Pablito fireworks market was bustling with hundreds of shoppers stocking up on explosives to set off during the holidays when the explosion took place. A fire engulfed the same market in 2005, touching off a chain of explosions that levelled hundreds of stalls just ahead of Mexico’s Independence Day. A similar fire at the San Pablito Market also destroyed hundreds of stands in September 2006. Many in Mexico traditionally celebrate holidays — including Christmas and New Year’s — by setting off noisy firecrackers and rockets. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Whoa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckster19 Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Chinese fire drill, for real this time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 That is horrible news any time, but just a few days ahead of Christmas.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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