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More than 17 people died and about 150 others were injured following a freak fireworks explosion during a Catholic procession in a small village in Mexico.
The explosion in the village of Jesus Tepactepec was ignited when a stray firework fell into a truck carrying other fireworks. Some of the victims may have also been carrying fireworks.
The street was full of people marching in an annual procession in honour of Jesus, the patron of the village.
Residents told local media about finding bits of human remains blown into their yards, trees and patios by the blast.
“Many of us were able to run, but we saw bodies flying, then everything went black,” Isidro Garcia Vazquez told reporters.
Jesus Tepactepec, about 112 kilometres east of Mexico City, is in the central Mexican state of Tlaxcala.
“My God, this is a tragedy,” said Bishop Francisco Moreno Barron of Tlaxcala, who was at the scene of the explosion.
Fourteen ambulances, a mobile medical unit and two air ambulances were sent to the village to treat the wounded.
Many of the injured were taken to hospital in neighbouring Puebla state.
The state governor, Mariano Gonzalez, ordered all hospitals in the region to treat the victims of the explosion.
The 13 wooden coffins of the first victims of the blast were carried through the streets of the village to a local gymnasium for a funeral Mass attended by hundreds of mourners.
Bishop Moreno Barron noted that fireworks form an important part of traditional religious celebrations in the area, but need improved safeguards.
“I appeal to the conscience of the people of Tlaxcala, to reflect and take measures to guarantee the responsible and orderly use of fireworks,” he said.
Sources:
Image: CNN
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News category: World.
