Mexico festival fireworks blast kills 10, injures 64

TEMASCALCINGO, Mexico: A festive night turned into a scene of devastation in central Mexico after pyrotechnic material exploded during a religious festival, killing at least 10 people and injuring 64 others, authorities said.

The blast occurred late Saturday near the Nuestra Señora de la Luz church in Temascalcingo, a municipality in Mexico State located about 160 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of Mexico City.

Hundreds of people had gathered for celebrations honouring the town’s patron saint and were preparing to watch a traditional fireworks display when the explosion suddenly tore through the area.

The force of the blast caused a wall to collapse, adding to the destruction and leaving people scrambling through smoke and debris in search of relatives and other survivors.

Videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes immediately after the explosion, with residents moving through the affected area as thick smoke hung in the air.

Emergency teams rushed to the site as injured people were taken for medical treatment. A local bishop said two priests were among those injured.

Investigation launched

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the explosion.

The Mexico State Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation to establish how the pyrotechnic material detonated and whether safety procedures were followed during the festival.

Police and emergency officials inspected the area as rescue and recovery operations continued.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers associated with fireworks in Mexico, where pyrotechnics are deeply embedded in public celebrations, particularly religious festivals and community events.

Fireworks are commonly used during patron-saint celebrations across the country, often drawing large crowds into streets and open spaces. But accidents involving improperly stored or handled explosives have repeatedly caused deaths and injuries.

Officials will now seek to determine whether the material had been stored safely and whether those handling it had the necessary precautions in place.

Celebration becomes tragedy

For residents of Temascalcingo, the festival had been expected to be a night of faith, music and celebration. Instead, families were left searching for loved ones and waiting for news from hospitals.

The blast came at a particularly crowded moment, when hundreds had gathered to watch the fireworks. That concentration of people appears to have contributed to the high number of casualties.

Authorities have not yet released a complete list of those killed or injured, and investigations are continuing.

The explosion also revived memories of previous fireworks accidents in Mexico. Almost four years ago, a powerful pyrotechnic blast in a village in Hidalgo state injured 17 people.

Such incidents have prompted repeated calls for stronger safety measures surrounding fireworks, especially during large public gatherings.

Yet pyrotechnics remain an important part of Mexico’s cultural and religious traditions, making the balance between celebration and public safety a continuing challenge.

As investigators examine the remains of the festival site, families and residents are now confronting the devastating aftermath of a celebration that was supposed to bring the community together.

The death toll could change as authorities continue assessing the condition of those injured, while investigators work to establish what triggered the deadly blast.