2016 San Pablito Market fireworks explosion

On 20 December 2016, a fireworks explosion occurred at the San Pablito Market in the city of Tultepec, north of Mexico City.[2][7][8] At least 42 people were killed,[4] and dozens injured.[5]

2016 San Pablito Market fireworks explosion
Aftermath of the explosion
Date20 December 2016 (2016-12-20)[1]
Time~15:00 CST (21:00 UTC)[1]
VenueSan Pablito Market[2]
LocationTultepec, State of Mexico, Mexico[2]
TypeFireworks disaster[2]
CauseLikely gunpowder explosion[3]
Deaths42[4]
Non-fatal injuries84[5]
Missing12[6]

Background
Partial view of San Pablito Market in 2010

Tultepec has a major fireworks culture and industry,[9] with a two hundred-year history of fireworks production.[10] About 65% of the population of the town is directly or indirectly involved in fireworks production.[10] According to the Instituto Mexiquense de la Pirotecnia, 436 fireworks workshops or retailers were registered in the Tultepec municipality.[10] San Pablito Market is a major center for Mexican handcrafted fireworks.[2] The city had implemented new safety measures in the market following firework-related explosions in 2005 and 2006.[1]

Explosion
External video
Explosion at Mexico fireworks market, The Guardian.

The cause of the explosion is unknown, but sources preliminarily claimed that gunpowder from the fireworks ignited the explosion.[3] Up to 300 tonnes of fireworks were reported to have been present at the market.[11] The explosion occurred at approximately 15:00 CST (21:00 UTC).[1] As of 24 December, at least 36 people died,[5] with at least 84 more injured.[5] Of the dead, 26 died at the site of the explosion and the remaining at the hospital.[12] Of the injured, 46 individuals were hospitalized, five of whom were in critical condition.[12]

Six children were among the injured, including a girl with burns to over 90% of her body.[13] Once they were stable and guardians had been contacted, these children were planned to be transferred to Shriners Hospital for Children in Galveston, Texas, United States, to be treated.[13] Nearby homes were damaged significantly[14] and much of the market was leveled in the explosion.[15]

Reaction
Enrique Peña Nieto, his cabinet, and multiple doctors and nurses observing a moment of silence during an event in San Pablo del Monte, Tlaxcala

José Manzur, representing the government of the State of Mexico, stated that all funeral and medical bills of those killed and injured will be paid for by the government.[12] President Enrique Peña Nieto offered his condolences and ordered federal agencies to coordinate with state authorities to help the families of those affected, particularly in medical care.[16] Germán Galicia Cortes, the president of San Pablito Market, said that vendors would receive government assistance to help cover their losses, and pledged to re-open the market.[17] The office of the federal attorney general began an investigation into the incident, with forensic investigators deployed to the site on 21 December.[18]

See also

References
  1. Kitching, Chris (20 December 2016). "Massive fireworks explosion in Mexico leaves 27 dead and dozens injured". Mirror. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  2. "Mexico fireworks market explosion leaves at least 26 dead". Associated Press. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016 – via The Guardian.
  3. "Mexico Explosion Video And Photos: Deaths, Injuries Reported At Tultepec Fireworks Market". International Business Times. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  4. "¿Qué otras explosiones han sucedido en Tultepec?". Milenio (in Spanish). 4 March 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  5. "Muere señora herida por explosión en Tultepec; suman 36 fallecidos". Proceso (in Spanish). 24 December 2016.
  6. "Van 33 muertos, 58 heridos y 12 desaparecidos por explosión en Tultepec". Proceso (in Spanish). 21 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  7. "'Several killed' in Mexico fireworks blast". BBC News. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  8. Quinones, Nelson (20 December 2016). "Blast at Mexico fireworks market injures dozens". CNN. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  9. "Festival of fire: San Juan de Dios". Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  10. Gudiño, Alondra Ávila y Alejandra. "Tultepec: más de 65% de la población depende de la pirotecnia". Milenio. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  11. "Mexico fireworks blast: Dozens killed in Tultepec explosion". BBC. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  12. Velázquez, César. "Suman 32 muertos por explosión en Tultepec". Milenio. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  13. "Trasladarán a niños quemados en Tultepec a Galveston: Michou y Mau". Excélsior. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  14. Woody, Christopher. "Multiple explosions at a fireworks market north of Mexico City reportedly leave at least 27 people dead". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  15. "At least 27 dead, 70 injured after explosion rips through fireworks market outside Mexico City". CNBC. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  16. "Peña Nieto refrenda apoyo a familiares de víctimas en Tultepec". Excélsior. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  17. "Despite Fatal Blast, Mexicans Clamor to Rebuild Fireworks Market". The New York Times. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  18. "Cause of deadly Mexico fireworks blasts still unknown". Reuters. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
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