At least 10 people died and 64 sustained injuries when pyrotechnic materials exploded during a religious festival in Santa María Canchesdá, State of Mexico, on Saturday night, according to TMZ.com.
The deadly incident occurred during festivities honoring Our Lady of Light, transforming what should have been a night of religious observance into a mass-casualty disaster. The explosion involved pyrotechnic material that had been stored near the church where the celebration was taking place.
The force of the blast caused part of a structure and a wall to collapse, trapping people underneath the debris, according to local outlets. Emergency crews spent hours at the scene searching through the wreckage and transporting victims to area hospitals for treatment.
Among the injured were two priests, as well as children and elderly individuals who required hospitalization. The full extent of injuries sustained by the 64 wounded remains unclear as medical personnel continue treating victims.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what triggered the pyrotechnic materials to explode. The cause of the blast remains under examination as officials work to piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
Images and video from the scene captured the chaotic aftermath of the explosion, showing the devastation left behind when the celebration erupted into disaster. The somber wreckage stands as a stark reminder of how quickly a community gathering can turn catastrophic.