HERMOSILLO, Mexico – A massive explosion and fire ripped through a busy discount supermarket in northwestern Mexico on Saturday, turning a festive holiday weekend into a tragedy that killed at least 23 people, including children, and injured a dozen others.
The blaze erupted at a Waldo’s discount store in the city center of Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora state, as families were shopping during the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Toxic Gases Believed to be Main Cause of Death
Gustavo Salas, the Attorney General of Sonora, provided a grim preliminary assessment, stating that most of the deaths were likely caused by the inhalation of toxic gases released by the fire. He cited the findings of the state’s forensic medical service.
The cause of the initial explosion and fire remains under investigation. While some local media reports suggested an electrical failure, officials have not confirmed the origin.
“The chief of the city’s firefighters said it was still being investigated whether there was an explosion,” a statement from city officials confirmed. They also moved to quell rumors, asserting that the store “was not the target of an attack.”
National Mourning and Emergency Response
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and swift action from top government officials.
Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo, in a video posted on social media, confirmed that children were among the victims and promised a full probe. “I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to clarify the causes of the accident,” he said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences in a post on the social media platform X. “My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” she wrote, adding that she had directed support teams to be sent to assist the victims’ families and the injured.
Emergency services responded on a massive scale. The Sonora Red Cross reported that it deployed 40 staff members and 10 ambulances, which made six trips to local hospitals to transport the wounded.
The fire has since been extinguished, but the scene remains one of devastation and mourning. The incident casts a dark shadow over Mexico’s Day of the Dead, a holiday typically dedicated to colorful festivities and loving remembrance of deceased relatives, now marked by a fresh and profound loss for dozens of families.
