Overview
- The explosions occurred Thursday morning in the San Juan Negrete neighborhood of Tepeaca when four autotanques detonated, producing huge fireballs and a dense column of smoke visible for kilometers.
- Authorities activated a Unified Command that deployed Protección Civil, state and municipal firefighters and the Guardia Nacional to cool affected units, clear debris and hold a safety perimeter.
- About 2,000 people were evacuated as a precaution, including patients from a clinic and more than 1,700 students from the Centro Escolar General Miguel Negrete Novoa.
- Governor Alejandro Armenta confirmed three people were injured and transported to nearby hospitals and said there were no fatalities; officials continue on-site monitoring and damage assessments.
- Local reports and social media suggest the site may have housed fuel of illicit origin, a common problem known as huachicol that raises fire and safety risks and is now the focus of ongoing investigations.