At least 23 killed, including children, in Mexico supermarket explosion

At least 23 people, including children, were killed and 11 others injured in a supermarket explosion in northern Mexico on Saturday, local officials said.

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The explosion took place at a Waldo's store in Hermosillo. The injured victims were taken to hospitals for treatment in the city.

Alfonso Durazo, governor of Sonora state, said in a video message that “a number of the victims we've found were minors”. He added that an extensive and transparent investigation had been ordered to determine the cause of the explosion and catch those responsible.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offered her condolences in a post on X to the “families and loved ones of those who died”.

Gustavo Salas, the state’s attorney general, citing the forensic medical service, said that many of the deaths appeared to have been caused by the inhalation of toxic gases.

However, some media reports have blamed the fire on an electrical failure. Mexican authorities also said that an electric transformer could be behind the incident.

In a statement, the prosecutor’s office in Sonora said that “the working assumption is that the incident was accidental, and the investigation is looking into a transformer located inside the store.”

Notably, local authorities have ruled out an “attack” or “event related to a violent act” against people. The chief of the city’s fire department also said that it was being investigated whether there had really been an explosion.

Gustavo Salas, the state’s attorney general, citing the forensic medical service, said that many of the deaths appeared to have been caused by the inhalation of toxic gases.

However, some media reports have blamed the fire on an electrical failure. Mexican authorities also said that an electric transformer could be behind the incident.

In a statement, the prosecutor’s office in Sonora said that “the working assumption is that the incident was accidental, and the investigation is looking into a transformer located inside the store.”