Christmas will never be the same this year as a tragic firework accident happened in the San Pablito Market in Tultepec, Mexico, killing 29 people and sending several others severely injured. San Pablico Market is located is located 25 miles north of Mexico City.
The site is always full of people during the holidays, as it is Mexican tradition to spend Christmas and New Year with boisterous fireworks displays. The market was full of locals and children when the explosion happened, according to local officials.
"We are obviously in the high season," Tupeltec Mayor Armando Portuguez Tupeltec Mayor Armando Portuguez Fuentes said. "There was more product than usual because we are a few days away from Christmas, a few days away from New Year's, and those are the days when the products made here are consumed the most."
People from nearby towns said they felt an earthquake-like rumble in the ground when the explosion happened and saw a great billowing black smoke in the sky. At a distance, it could be seen that a chain-like explosion happened in the fireworks stalls, sending many people running in frantic.
Death toll rises as local authorities still scour the explosion site for more bodies. Some are so badly burned they couldn't be identified, they said, and several children were also included in the death count, including a three-month old baby boy, 12-year old girl and several male teenagers, according to Mexico State chief prosecutor Alejandro Gomez.
Meanwhile, the survivors are being treated at several local hospitals. Most of them suffered major burns in different parts of their bodies and some other severe injuries.
This is not the first time Mexico suffered a firework explosion incident. Last 2005, a fireworks market also exploded during Independence Day, and the year after that the same thing happened and destroyed over 200 fireworks stalls. Although there were several people hurt from the fatality, none were reported dead.
Officials are still trying to figure out the cause of the explosion. Mexico State Governor Eruviel Avila said they wouldn't stop until they find who is responsible.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
