About 200 evacuated after gas leak at ISSSTE hospital in Hermosillo; no injuries reported

About 200 people were evacuated from an ISSSTE hospital in Hermosillo after a gas leak prompted an emergency response. Authorities said no one was injured and the situation was brought under control.

The State Civil Protection Coordination said the leak resulted from a failure in one of the hospital’s gas-supply lines. Staff and patients left the building while crews inspected the facilities. ISSSTE Sonora said maintenance workers found the problem in a section of piping located outdoors and sealed it.

Firefighters, public security officers and civil protection personnel then checked the hospital and determined that no imminent danger remained. ISSSTE said activities resumed normally and that it would continue safety and monitoring measures for patients, beneficiaries and employees.

The evacuation also drew criticism from Gabriela Félix, a local lawmaker with the Citizens’ Movement party. She said areas including the first floor and emergency department had been evacuated, and claimed the incident forced the interruption of treatments, including hemodialysis sessions, to protect patients and staff.

Félix also questioned how hospitalized people on the second floor could be evacuated, saying they allegedly had only an elevator and no ramps available. She renewed her call for the hospital to close and for patients to receive care in facilities considered safe. “How much more has to happen before this hospital is closed? Does an irreparable tragedy have to occur?” she asked. Authorities, however, said inspections found no risk preventing the hospital from continuing its activities.

“

How much more has to happen before this hospital is closed? Does an irreparable tragedy have to occur?