MEXICO · ACCIDENT
Key Facts
—What happened: Fireworks stored near a church exploded during a patron saint festival.
—How big it is: At least 10 dead and 64 injured, according to state authorities.
—What it means: The blast is another deadly reminder of Mexico’s risky fireworks traditions.
—The catch: The exact cause is still under investigation; officials have not confirmed it.
—Who it hits: Local residents celebrating the festival, including two injured priests.
—What comes next: Authorities are investigating and will dismantle remaining fireworks.
A fireworks blast tore through a store beside a village church in central Mexico on Saturday night, killing ten people. It struck Santa Maria Canchesda, in the State of Mexico, during a patron saint feast.
The blast and the victims
The explosion tore through a storeroom next to the church at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 5. It happened during the feast of Nuestra Senora de la Luz, with hundreds of people gathered.
The State of Mexico government confirmed at least 10 deaths and 64 injuries. Eight people died at the scene, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals.
Where it happened
The town of Santa Maria Canchesda sits in the municipality of Temascalcingo, in the State of Mexico. The state is a region of central Mexico that borders Mexico City.
The village is Santa Maria Canchesda, in the municipality of Temascalcingo. The State of Mexico government has confirmed the location.
What caused the explosion
Witness video shows festival-goers carrying a straw bull fitted with fireworks. That bull apparently ignited a larger store of fireworks kept in or near the village church.
The blast collapsed part of the church roof and a wall, burying people under debris. The State of Mexico Attorney General’s Office says the cause is still under investigation.
The authorities’ response
Emergency services rescued victims from the collapsed structures and took the injured to hospitals. The State of Mexico Pyrotechnics Institute inspected the site for active explosives.
Specialists are now working to dismantle and disable any remaining fireworks. The local diocese reported that two priests were injured but are expected to survive.
Governor Delfina Gomez Alvarez sent condolences to the families and ordered state help for the injured.
President Claudia Sheinbaum also expressed condolences. The municipal president of Temascalcingo is Veronica Moreno Martinez.
Who the victims were
The dead and injured were residents of Santa Maria Canchesda, a small farming community in central Mexico. They had gathered for the annual feast of Nuestra Senora de la Luz, the local patron saint.
Among the injured were two priests. The Diocese of Atlacomulco named them as Father Fernando Chavez Cruz and Father Javier Sanchez Montes.
How fireworks are regulated
Mexico has a federal law that requires permits for making, storing, and selling fireworks. But enforcement is often weak in rural areas, where the trade is a tradition and a source of income.
The State of Mexico Pyrotechnics Institute issues those permits and inspects workshops. Neither it nor the state prosecutor has said publicly whether the stored fireworks were licensed.
The role of the straw bull
The straw bull, called a torito, is a common sight at Mexican festivals. It is a frame covered in paper and packed with fireworks, worn by a person who dances through the crowd.
Al Jazeera reported that a torito was carried near the church when the stored fireworks ignited. The State of Mexico’s own account does not mention a torito.
How the investigation works
The State of Mexico Attorney General’s Office is the state’s main prosecutor. It investigates crimes and accidents to decide if anyone broke the law.
That office has opened an inquiry into the blast. It has not yet said what caused the explosion or if anyone will face charges.
The State of Mexico Pyrotechnics Institute is a separate body. It regulates fireworks and checks that makers and sellers follow safety rules.
The priests who were hurt
The diocese said both are expected to survive. They were serving at the church when the stored fireworks exploded.
A history of fireworks tragedy
Mexico has seen many fireworks disasters. In 2016, a blast at the San Pablito market in Tultepec killed 42 people, with later counts reaching 35.
Tultepec is the center of Mexico’s fireworks trade. That explosion led to calls for tighter safety rules.
In 2013, a truck loaded with fireworks exploded during a religious procession in Jesus Tepactepec. At least 11 people died and about 70 were hurt.
These events show the dangers of using fireworks in crowded festivals. The trade is a tradition, but it carries real risk.
The church and its festival
The church of Nuestra Senora de la Luz is the spiritual heart of Santa Maria Canchesda. Its annual feast day draws hundreds of residents and visitors.
The festival mixes Catholic tradition with local customs. Fireworks are a central part of the celebration, as they are across Mexico.
How fireworks are used in festivals
In many Mexican towns, fireworks are not just entertainment. They are a form of devotion, offered to saints and shared with the community.
The torito, or straw bull, is one such tradition. A person wears the frame and dances, letting sparks fly into the crowd.
The economics of fireworks
Fireworks are a livelihood for many families in the State of Mexico. Towns like Tultepec depend on the trade for jobs and income.
But the work is dangerous. Workshops often operate in homes, with little separation between living space and explosive material.
What the law says
Mexico’s federal law on firearms and explosives controls who can make and store fireworks. It requires a permit from the government.
The State of Mexico Pyrotechnics Institute is the local authority that grants these permits. It also inspects workshops and markets.
The challenge of enforcement
Enforcement is difficult in rural areas. Many makers and sellers operate informally, outside the permit system.
Officials have not said whether the fireworks in Santa Maria Canchesda were licensed. That question is part of the investigation.
What happens next
The investigation will determine whether negligence or a technical fault caused the blast. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
Meanwhile, the pyrotechnics institute will continue to secure the site. The community will hold funerals and begin the slow process of healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died in the Mexico fireworks blast?
Ten people were killed, according to the State of Mexico government. Eight died at the scene and one at the Hospital General de Atlacomulco.
Where did the fireworks explosion happen?
The explosion occurred in the town of Santa Maria Canchesda, in the municipality of Temascalcingo, in the State of Mexico. The state is in central Mexico.
What caused the fireworks to explode?
Witness video suggests a straw bull fitted with fireworks ignited a larger store of fireworks near the church. The exact cause is still under investigation.
How many people were injured?
The state government reports 64 injured. Other outlets say at least 60, but the official figure is 64.
Is this a common type of accident in Mexico?
Yes, fireworks accidents happen frequently during religious festivals. A similar blast in 2013 killed 11 people, and the 2016 Tultepec market explosion killed dozens.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
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