Mexico fireworks explosion kills 10, injures 64 during religious festival
An explosion involving pyrotechnic material during a religious festival in central Mexico killed at least 10 people and injured 64 others, authorities said.
The blast occurred on Saturday night near the Nuestra Senora de la Luz church in Temascalcingo, a municipality in Mexico State with a population of around 66,000.
Hundreds of people had gathered for a fireworks display as part of a festival honouring the town's patron saint when the explosion took place.
Temascalcingo is located about 160 kilometres northwest of Mexico City.
The cause of the explosion has not yet been established. The Mexico State Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation into the incident.
A local bishop said two priests were among those injured.
A video shared on social media showed the aftermath of the explosion, with people moving through smoke and debris while searching for survivors.
Authorities said explosions involving pyrotechnic materials are common in Mexico, where fireworks are widely used during street celebrations and religious festivals.
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. (with inputs from Associated Press)
