Gunpowder explosion kills 7, injures 9 in Puebla

An explosion at a home-based, illegal fireworks factory killed six people and injured nine Monday night in Puebla.

It was the second such incident in two days. One person was killed and six people were injured under similar circumstances on Sunday when gunpowder exploded at an illegal fireworks operation in Juan C. Bonilla.

Monday’s blast took place in the community of Santiago Tenango in Felipe Ángeles. Two of the dead were children aged 13 and 15. Only two of those who were injured required hospitalization but one, a 13-year-old girl, was reported in grave condition Tuesday morning with second-degree burns.

At least six homes were also severely damaged in the blast, which took place about 7:30 p.m.

Puebla Governor Miguel Barbosa confirmed that the incident took place in an unlicensed fireworks factory and ordered officials to carry out inspections of fireworks makers throughout the state to identify those that are operating without permits from the Ministry of National Defense.

Fireworks is a big business in some parts of Mexico and this is a busy time of year for manufacturers. And explosions are not uncommon.

What was probably the worst incident killed 46 people in Tultepec, México state, in 2016 when several explosions ripped through and destroyed Mexico’s biggest fireworks market.

The market itself was legal but regulations controlling the distance between individual vendors’ stands had been relaxed. Officials concluded at the time that the damage would have been less severe had the regulations been enforced.

With reports from El Universal and e-consulta

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Skyscrapers along Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City.

Mexico’s 2026 growth outlook improves in Banxico and Citi surveys

0
Median forecasts rise in surveys by Banxico and Citi, with 2027 growth seen near 1.9% and year-end inflation just under 4%.
Ex-INE president Guadalupe Taddei

Finance Ministry blocks accounts of former electoral institute chief and associates

0
National Electoral Institute ex-President Guadalupe Taddei is reportedly among 25 people added to the Blocked Persons List, days after Taddei's sudden resignation.
A group of migrants prepares to cross the Rio Grande into the U.S. from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, in December 2023.

Mexico in Numbers: How many people are emigrating from Mexico?

0
While 1.2 million foreign-born residents live in Mexico, even more people are emigrating to other countries. How many people are leaving, and what states have the most emigrants?
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity