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Fireworks Rip through Workshop in Mexico’s ’Pyrotechnical Capital’, 24 Killed, Scores Injured

Fireworks Rip through Workshop in Mexico’s ’Pyrotechnical Capital’, 24 Killed, Scores Injured
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Local Editor

Chain explosions rocked a fireworks factory, killing 24 in the city of Tultepec, renowned for its mesmerizing and dangerous pyrotechnic shows.

Among the deceased were first responders who rushed to the scene.

In further details, the blasts struck the factory, which has been operating without a license, at 9:40 am on Thursday. As firefighters, police officers and members of the civil protection service arrived at the scene, the initial blast triggered a chain reaction, resulting in at least three more explosions.

In total, at least 24 people, including a minor, were confirmed dead amid fears that the death toll can still rise. Forty-nine people were taken to hospitals suffering from severe burns and other injuries. Some heavily injured patients were airlifted to medical facilities.

Of the 24 victims, 17 died on the spot and a further seven were pronounced dead at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the head of Mexico's civil defense agency Luis Felipe Puente blamed the tragedy on the mishandling of gunpowder, saying that the blasts tore up the clandestine facility that lacked government authorization.

The heavy death toll was due to people being caught in secondary explosions after they rushed to help those who were injured in the first place, Puente added.

Firefighters, policemen and civil emergency workers fell victim to the blasts.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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