22 People killed, 12 Injured in Fire after Explosion at Departmental store

 Mexico City (The Uttam Hindu): An explosion and fire broke out at a department store in Hermosillo, the capital of the northern Mexican state of Sonora, killing at least 22 people, including four children.

The agency cited reports that the explosion occurred at a department store in the city. Witnesses said the fire quickly spread to the building and nearby vehicles, trapping many people inside. Rescue teams arrived at the scene and launched a search and rescue operation. Twelve people injured in the incident were taken to local hospitals. Initial investigations indicate the cause of the fire was smoke from a faulty transformer.

The explosion occurred in a shop at the local Valdoz store, and the building subsequently caught fire. Sonora authorities have ruled out a terrorist attack.

Earlier on Friday, a massive explosion occurred at an oil refinery in Artesia, New Mexico. The blast triggered a massive fire, which required considerable effort to control. Smoke from the blast and fire spread far and wide. However, there were no reports of casualties in the incident. In a September incident, three people were killed when a gas tanker truck exploded in Mexico City. Local officials reported that more than 50 people were injured in the incident.

The Mexican capital's government chief, Clara Brugada Molina, said on the social media platform X that the accident occurred under the Concordia Bridge on Zaragoza Road. The accident occurred after a tanker with a capacity of about 49,500 liters overturned. The injured were taken to various hospitals. Eighteen vehicles were also damaged in the accident. Nineteen people were seriously injured.