Nine Reported Dead, 24 Injured in Fireworks Explosion in Temascalcingo

Nine people died and 24 were injured when fireworks exploded during a patron saint’s festival in Santa María Canchesdá, in Mexico’s Temascalcingo municipality.

People had gathered outside the community parish to watch the fireworks as part of celebrations honoring Nuestra Señora de la Luz, or Our Lady of Light. The explosion occurred at about 9 p.m.

Emergency teams from the State of Mexico and neighboring municipalities moved in after the incident to assist those affected. State Civil Protection said municipal civil protection units, regional firefighters, the Emergency Medical Service of the State of Mexico, the National Emergency Commission and state police were working together at the scene.

Authorities gave the death and injury figures as preliminary. While officials reported 24 injured people, names began circulating on social media and in community groups of people transferred to medical facilities, including Atlacomulco General Hospital. The list reportedly included four minors.

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State of Mexico Civil Protection personnel are responding to a fireworks explosion in the community of Santa María Canchesdá, municipality of Temascalcingo. Injured people are being treated at the scene. Municipal civil protection units and regional firefighters, the State Emergency Medical Service, the National Emergency Commission and state police are working together.