56 Killed in Mexico Blasts Tied to Fireworks

A series of explosions ripped through a busy area of street stalls and shops in this central Mexican city on Sunday, killing at least 56 people and injuring 348.

Interior Minister Diodoro Carrasco said the explosions apparently began in the back of a candy store, where fireworks were sold.

News reports indicated that other explosions followed in surrounding shops.

“It’s a very big tragedy,” Mayor Ricardo Suarez said on the national TV Azteca network.

At least 52 people died in the blasts, and four died later in hospitals, Carrasco said. Rescue workers said many more were believed to be trapped beneath debris and that the death toll could rise above 100.

The blasts injured at least 348 people, and 81 remained hospitalized Sunday night, Guanajuato Gov. Ramon Martin Huerta said.

Martin Huerta said the disaster was linked to illegal stockpiling of fireworks for sale during festivities leading up to Independence Day on Sept. 15.

According to media reports, the store housing the fireworks--located across the street from the city bus station--exploded shortly before 10:30 a.m. A few minutes later, there was a second large blast, then two more in quick succession.