Mexico City: A fire at a convenience store in northwestern Mexico has killed at least 23 people, including children, and injured 12 others, state authorities say.
Images circulating on social media show a massive fire engulfing the Waldo’s store. A video showed a burned man collapsing on the asphalt a few meters from the store entrance.
The governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, said he had ordered an investigation to clarify the cause of the fire in the center of Hermosillo, capital of the state of Sonora.
Sonora Attorney General Gustavo Salas Chávez provided the death toll and said the injured were taken to six hospitals in Hermosillo.
Preliminary investigations showed the deaths were caused by “inhalation of toxic gases,” it said, citing its forensic medical service.
“At this time, we do not have any indication that would lead us to assume that the fire was intentional,” he said, noting that authorities had not ruled out any line of investigation.
Damaged vehicles in front of a convenience store destroyed by fire in Hermosillo.Credit: AP
Mexico celebrates the Day of the Dead this weekend with colorful festivities in which families honor and remember their deceased loved ones.
“My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered support teams to be sent to help the families of the victims and the injured.
