BBC NEWS Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific Spanish Portuguese Caribbean
BBCi NEWS   SPORT   WEATHER   WORLD SERVICE   A-Z INDEX     

BBC News World Edition
    You are in: Americas  
News Front Page
Africa
Americas
Asia-Pacific
Europe
Middle East
South Asia
UK
Business
Entertainment
Science/Nature
Technology
Health
-------------
Talking Point
-------------
Country Profiles
In Depth
-------------
Programmes
-------------
BBC Sport
BBC Weather
SERVICES
-------------
LANGUAGES
EDITIONS
 Wednesday, 1 January, 2003, 09:42 GMT
Mexico fireworks blast kills 28
Rescuers by a stall burnt out in the explosion
The blaze engulfed market stalls
At least 28 people have been killed in the Mexican port town of Veracruz following an explosion and fire which started at an illegal fireworks stand.

Fifty people were injured in the blaze, which engulfed market stalls and nearby buildings in a packed New Year's Eve market.

We are all responsible - let this serve as an example

Veracruz Mayor
Jose Gutierrez
Most of the casualties died from the effects of inhaling smoke, officials said.

They warned the death toll could rise further as teams worked their way through burnt-out buildings.

The Hidalgo and Unidad Veracruzana markets in the centre of the port had been full of shoppers, many buying fireworks for New Year celebrations.

Volunteers joined police and emergency workers trying to rescue people and to contain the spread of the blaze which began at around 1800 local time (0000 GMT).

Map of Mexico showing Veracruz
Fireworks could be heard overhead as the teams battled for hours to bring the blaze under control.

City spokesman Carlos Ortiz said it was unclear how the fire started, although there were reports that a passerby threw a cigarette at the stand.

Mr Ortiz said city officials had tried to shut down the fireworks stands only a few days earlier, but were forced to back down because of local resistance.

'Not the first time'

Firework explosions are common in Mexico, where many factories operate with little regard for safety.

Veracruz Mayor Jose Gutierrez told Mexican television: "This is not the first time this has happened in Mexico or in Veracruz.

"We are all responsible. Let this serve as an example."

In September 1999, dozens died in a fireworks explosion in the city of Celaya in the central Mexico state of Guanajuato.

  WATCH/LISTEN
  ON THIS STORY
  The BBC's Angela Griffiths
"This holiday came with a high price"
See also:

19 Dec 02 | Country profiles
27 Sep 99 | Americas
Internet links:


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Links to more Americas stories are at the foot of the page.


E-mail this story to a friend

Links to more Americas stories

© BBC ^^ Back to top

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East |
South Asia | UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature |
Technology | Health | Talking Point | Country Profiles | In Depth |
Programmes