At least 10 people were killed and another 64 injured after pyrotechnic material exploded during a religious festival in Temascalcingo in Mexico State, Mexican authorities said.
The explosion occurred on Saturday night near the Nuestra Señora de la Luz church, where hundreds of people had gathered for a fireworks display as part of a festival honouring a patron saint.
Explosion tears through festival gathering
The blast caused a wall to collapse, leaving people injured and prompting a desperate search for survivors amid smoke and debris.
Video shared on social media showed dozens of people moving through the aftermath of the explosion as they searched for those who may have been trapped or injured.
Temascalcingo is a municipality in central Mexico with a population of around 66,000 people. It is located approximately 160km northwest of Mexico City.
Two priests among those injured
A local bishop said that two priests were among those injured in the explosion.
The cause of the blast has not yet been determined. The Mexico State Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation to establish what caused the pyrotechnic material to explode.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the storage, handling and use of the pyrotechnic material as part of the investigation.
Fireworks risks remain a concern
Explosions involving pyrotechnic material are not uncommon in Mexico, where fireworks are widely used during street celebrations and religious festivals.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with fireworks at large public gatherings.
Almost four years ago, a powerful fireworks explosion in a village in the municipality of Huejutla, in the central state of Hidalgo, injured 17 people.
The investigation into the Temascalcingo explosion remains underway as authorities work to determine the cause of the deadly incident.