A fire at a discount retailer in Hermosillo claimed at least 23 lives and left a dozen injured on Saturday, casting a shadow over Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations. The blaze tore through the Waldo's store in the city center, with authorities reporting that many victims died from breathing in poisonous fumes. Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo announced plans for a comprehensive probe into what sparked the tragedy, noting that young people were counted among those who perished.
The state's top prosecutor, Gustavo Salas, said medical examiners determined that toxic gas inhalation appeared to be the primary cause of death. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed sympathy for bereaved families and deployed assistance teams to aid survivors and relatives of the deceased.
Emergency responders from Sonora's Red Cross dispatched 40 personnel with 10 ambulances, completing six hospital runs. While the flames have been extinguished, investigators have not determined what ignited the fire. Some reports suggested an electrical malfunction, though officials said they were still examining whether an explosion occurred. Municipal authorities ruled out the possibility that the store had been deliberately targeted.
The state's top prosecutor, Gustavo Salas, said medical examiners determined that toxic gas inhalation appeared to be the primary cause of death. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed sympathy for bereaved families and deployed assistance teams to aid survivors and relatives of the deceased.
Emergency responders from Sonora's Red Cross dispatched 40 personnel with 10 ambulances, completing six hospital runs. While the flames have been extinguished, investigators have not determined what ignited the fire. Some reports suggested an electrical malfunction, though officials said they were still examining whether an explosion occurred. Municipal authorities ruled out the possibility that the store had been deliberately targeted.
