Fireball horror: 13 dead after firework truck explodes during religious ceremony in Mexico
Villagers were taking part in a procession in Jesus Tepactepec, a small village in Tlaxcala state, when a firework accidentally landed on the lorry
Devastation: The scene after the explosion
At least 13 people died and 154 were injured when a truck loaded with fireworks exploded during a religious ceremony in Mexico. Villagers had been taking part in a procession in Jesus Tepactepec, a small village in Tlaxcala state, when a firework accidentally landed on the lorry, igniting the fireworks it carried. Seventy people were burned in the blast, on Friday, and at least 45 were taken to hospital in the neighbouring Puebla state, authorities said. Jose Mateo Morales, director of the Tlaxcala state civil protection department, said: "They were in a procession, they were shooting off rockets and it exploded and fell on to the other ones. It was very serious."
Burnt out: A car lies in the rubble
Reuters
Investigation: A forensics officer on the scene
Reuters
Human remains and burned clothes were spread around a 100-yard radius, including on rooftops, a photographer at the scene said. At least one child was among the victims. Helicopters, dozens of ambulances and soldiers from the area's military base rushed to the village, situated about 70 miles east of Mexico City. The victims were marching in an annual procession in honour of the village's patron saint, Jesusito. The Bishop of Tlaxcala, Francisco Moreno, who was at the scene of the explosion, later tweeted: “My God, this is a tragedy.”
Villagers were taking part in a procession in Jesus Tepactepec, a small village in Tlaxcala state, when a firework accidentally landed on the lorry
Devastation: The scene after the explosion At least 13 people died and 154 were injured when a truck loaded with fireworks exploded during a religious ceremony in Mexico. Villagers had been taking part in a procession in Jesus Tepactepec, a small village in Tlaxcala state, when a firework accidentally landed on the lorry, igniting the fireworks it carried. Seventy people were burned in the blast, on Friday, and at least 45 were taken to hospital in the neighbouring Puebla state, authorities said. Jose Mateo Morales, director of the Tlaxcala state civil protection department, said: "They were in a procession, they were shooting off rockets and it exploded and fell on to the other ones. It was very serious."
Burnt out: A car lies in the rubble Reuters
Investigation: A forensics officer on the scene Reuters
Human remains and burned clothes were spread around a 100-yard radius, including on rooftops, a photographer at the scene said. At least one child was among the victims. Helicopters, dozens of ambulances and soldiers from the area's military base rushed to the village, situated about 70 miles east of Mexico City. The victims were marching in an annual procession in honour of the village's patron saint, Jesusito. The Bishop of Tlaxcala, Francisco Moreno, who was at the scene of the explosion, later tweeted: “My God, this is a tragedy.”