Overview
- State investigators say the leading hypothesis is an accidental failure tied to an internal transformer or electrical system, with no indications of an intentional act so far.
- Officials confirm 23 deaths and about a dozen injuries, most from toxic smoke inhalation, with several people still hospitalized and two reported in critical condition.
- The Hermosillo location operated without an authorized civil-protection program since 2021 and, according to officials and aerial images, had only one entrance and no emergency exits.
- The national power utility CFE said the transformer involved was not part of its infrastructure, and experts are reviewing internal wiring, ventilation and rooftop solar panels.
- Waldo’s says it is cooperating fully and assisting victims’ families as prosecutors conduct 38 interviews, present multiple managers for questioning and oversee inspections across the chain’s Sonora stores.