At least 23 dead in an explosion at a supermarket in Mexico

At least 23 people were killed Saturday in a supermarket explosion in northern Mexico, local officials said, with investigators saying the explosion was an accident likely caused by a faulty electrical transformer.

“Unfortunately, some of the victims we found were minors,” Sonora state governor Alfonso Durazo said in a video message as he announced the death toll of 23 and another 11 injured.

Durazo said the survivors are being treated in hospitals in the city of Hermosillo, where the explosion occurred.

“I have ordered an extensive and transparent investigation to ascertain the causes of the incident and identify those responsible,” he said.

The prosecutor’s office said in a statement that “the working hypothesis is that the incident was accidental and the investigation is investigating a transformer located inside the store.”

“Once the firefighters allow access to the building … it will be possible to determine precisely the cause of the incident,” he added.

The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in the city center.

“No one will face this pain alone. From the first moments, the emergency, security and health services responded with great professionalism and dedication, controlling the situation and saving lives,” said the governor.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences at X “to the families and loved ones of those who died.”

“I have been in contact with the governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, to provide support where needed. I have instructed Interior Minister Rosa Isela Rodriguez to send a support team to help the families and the injured,” he continued.

Mexican media reported that customers sought shelter inside the store after the explosion, only to be engulfed in flames. Images in local media showed the facade of the building blackened by the fire with windows broken.

El Universal newspaper reported that the explosion occurred around 14:00 (2000 GMT) and that nearby businesses chose to close their doors to prevent the fire from spreading there.

Local authorities urged citizens to avoid the area of ​​the blast and canceled celebrations scheduled for that day in honor of the Day of the Dead holiday.