By Thompson ABISOLA
Two explosions at fireworks workshops outside Mexico City on Thursday killed no fewer than 19 people, including rescue workers, and injured dozens more, officials said, in the latest deadly blast to hit a town known for its fireworks production.
“After a first blast in the municipality of Tultepec, firefighters, police and other rescue workers arrived at the scene when a second explosion occurred.
“Emergency crews attended the call of the first explosion, when a second incident occurred, killing and injuring members of these groups,” the statement said.
Television images showed a plume of smoke rising over buildings on the outskirts of Tultepec and scores of firefighters and rescue workers at the scene.
Luis Felipe Puente, the head of Mexico’s civil protection agency, told local television there were no less than 19 fatalities and 40 people injured.
There has been a series of blasts at the fireworks markets, workshops and depots in Tultepec, about 32 km north of Mexico City.
The blasts included series of massive explosions in a market in December 2016 that killed around three dozen people.
Puente said the sale of fireworks in the area would be suspended and the permits of manufacturers would be reviewed.
