Explosion in central Mexico leaves 19 dead

The informality of the country's pyrotechnic manufacturers once again brings to light a recurring problem. The tragedy is repeated this time in Tultepec

The detonations again highlight a recurring problem in one of the mechs of the pyrotechnics in MexicoAn explosion of pyrotechnic games in the municipality of Tultepec, in the central state of Mexico, On Thursday, at least 19 people died, including firefighters and police who came to attend the emergency, and 40 wounded, local authorities reported.

"We have a preliminary figure of 19 dead, of which one is lower up to present." "Alejandro Ozuna, Secretary of the Government of the State of Mexico, told reporters

The explosion occurred during the morning when are located the traditional pyrotechnic workshops located in the region

to witness the first explosion, there were other outbreaks, which increased the number of deaths.

The roar rumbled in the agricultural fields surrounding the area, in The cows were grazing normally while the inhabitants were watching from afar the smoke coming out after the explosion

It was raining

"I had lunch when we heard this terrible thunder, we ran and found a huge white cloud in the sky, like when it's going to rain, but what was raining today, it was fire, "said AFP Alondra Pérez, a 62-year-old housewife

. Worried about the authorities by his father, a 43 year old pyrotechnic craftsman who works in the area.

See more: This was the tragic record of another explosion in 2016

"The last time I saw it, it was Tomorrow and when we discovered the l & # 39; I had to leave high school to pick him up, but they do not let me through and nobody tells me anything about him, "said 14-year-old Allan Osvaldo.

On his side, President Enrique Peña Nieto lamented the deaths of the blast. "I send my condolences to the families of" Tultepec is a community of pyrotechnic craftsmen who have already suffered from explosions in magazines or houses where games are stored and sold. type

After the incident on Thursday, the authorities temporarily suspended the sale of fireworks in the region.

On June 6, an explosion caused seven deaths, although the most dramatic occurred on December 20. 2016, when an explosion on the main pyrotechnic market caused 42 deaths.

Alejandro Ozuna said the authorities will make a "full review" of all permits to look for any irregularities. "We know it's a way of life, a tradition, but we need to send the message to the community and understand that it needs to be regulated to take care of its physical integrity. "The official said.

A police officer in the area said that those engaged in pyrotechnics do not measure the consequences of tragedies like this Thursday.

" People here insist to continue to making rockets is their tradition, but … it gives courage because other firefighters who have nothing to do today have been killed to save these people ", said the policeman, who avoided giving his name to the press.