Hermosillo Store Blast Kills 23 as Investigators Probe Possible Transformer Failure

Overview

• Children are among the victims and officials say identification of the dead is still underway.
• Sonora’s prosecutor reported that most fatalities were caused by inhalation of toxic gases.
• Security officials have ruled out a deliberate attack and are examining an internal electrical transformer as the suspected source.
• Firefighters, police and Red Cross teams secured the scene, with the Red Cross deploying 40 responders and 10 ambulances as about a dozen injured were treated at local hospitals.
• The explosion struck during heavy pre–Day of the Dead shopping, and city commemorations were later canceled as the area remained sealed for technical examination.