Ten people were killed and 64 others were injured when fireworks exploded during a popular festival in Temascalcingo, a municipality in central Mexico, officials reported Saturday night. The blast occurred next to the Nuestra Señora de la Luz church during a celebration honoring a patron saint.
Hundreds of people had gathered for the fireworks display, part of a religious festival, when the pyrotechnic materials detonated. The explosion caused a wall to collapse, contributing to the casualties. Among the injured were two priests, according to a local bishop.
The State of Mexico Attorney General's Office has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. Footage circulating on social media depicts the aftermath, with individuals navigating through smoke and debris in search of survivors.
Temascalcingo is located approximately 100 miles northwest of Mexico City. Fireworks explosions are not uncommon in Mexico, where pyrotechnics are frequently utilized in street celebrations and religious festivals. In a similar incident nearly four years ago, a significant fireworks explosion in a village in the state of Hidalgo injured 17 people.
