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Mexican MARKET BLAST

Mexico fireworks explosion kills at least 31 and injures dozens as footage shows devastation in Tultepec

Six separate blasts triggered the explosion and an investigation has been launched

AN investigation has been launched after an explosion at a fireworks market in Mexico killed at least 31 people and injured 72.

Shocking pictures show fireworks exploding and a huge plume of smoke erupting from the scene in Tultepec, about 20 miles north of Mexico City and is the third time an explosion has happened at the market.

Shocking video footage shows fireworks exploding and a huge plume of smoke erupting from the site
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Shocking video footage shows fireworks exploding and a huge plume of smoke erupting from the siteCredit: Twitter / DisyuntivaTV
Pictures show the huge column of smoke that arose from the scene
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Pictures show the huge column of smoke that arose from the scene
People help put out the last embers of the fire following the huge blast
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People help put out the last embers of the fire following the huge blastCredit: Getty Images
The market was destroyed in an explosion yesterday and an investigation has been launched
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The market was destroyed in an explosion yesterday and an investigation has been launchedCredit: AP:Associated Press
Emergency services clear up the debris left behind
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Emergency services clear up the debris left behindCredit: EPA
Members of the Red Cross working at the site in Mexico
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Members of the Red Cross working at the site in MexicoCredit: EPA
Isidro Sanchez, the head of Tultepec emergency services, said a lack of adequate safety measures may have been the cause
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Isidro Sanchez, the head of Tultepec emergency services, said a lack of adequate safety measures may have been the causeCredit: Getty Images
A local resident dressed as a clown helps a firefighter at the scorched ground of Mexico's best-known fireworks market after an explosion explosion ripped through it
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A local resident dressed as a clown helps a firefighter at the scorched ground of Mexico's best-known fireworks market after an explosion explosion ripped through itCredit: AP:Associated Press
Rescue workers are sifting through the rubble and debris left at the scene of the disaster
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Rescue workers are sifting through the rubble and debris left at the scene of the disasterCredit: AP:Associated Press

The federal attorney's general's office has opened an investigation and said six separate blasts kicked off the destruction.

Mexico's state governor Eruviel Avila told a television network that forensic experts are working on genetic analysis of the bodies because "almost all of them are impossible" to identify.

Isidro Sanchez, the head of Tultepec emergency services, told local media that a lack of adequate safety measures was the likely cause of the blasts.

Eyewitness Angelica Avila, 24, said: "Everything was destroyed, it was very ugly.

"It's the worst thing I've ever seen in my life."

The vast majority of the market's 300 stalls were completely destroyed, state official Jose Manzur said, adding that the site was inspected by safety officials just last month and no irregularities were found.

Angelica Cross, 25, who lives just streets away from the market, told AFP: "The earth moved. It felt like a plane crash, like bombs were being dropped.

"I went up to the roof of my place and others were already there and we saw the market was blowing up. And all the smoke started to cover us."

In late 2005, explosions struck the same Tultepec fireworks market just days before independence day celebrations, injuring scores of people.

Another explosion gutted the area again almost a year later.

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Emergency services rushed to the scene where there was a heavy scent of gunpowder following the blast, which leveled the market in the town famous for fireworks.

Fire crews has to wait for all the fireworks to stop exploding before they could extinguish the flames.

The Mexican Red Cross sent 10 ambulances with 50 paramedics to the scene, where emergency crews attended to victims and hosed down smoldering hotspots as sirens wailed and fireworks continued to pop off.

Smoking, burned out shells of vehicles ringed the perimeter,as first responders and local residents wearing blue masks over their mouths combed through the rubble and ash.

Homes close to the site have been damaged and people are being advised not to come within three miles.

Mr Puente said emergency services had no choice but to let any unexploded fireworks burn off.

President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted: "My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident and my wishes for a quick recovery for the injured."

The British Foreign Office said it is in contact with local authorities in Mexico and are "ready to help any British nationals affected".

Arial shot of the smoke billowing from the scene of the explosion
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Arial shot of the smoke billowing from the scene of the explosionCredit: AP:Associated Press
Emergency services working at the scene in Mexico
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Emergency services working at the scene in MexicoCredit: redcross
The explosion has injured dozens and damaged homes close to the open air market
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The explosion has injured dozens and damaged homes close to the open air marketCredit: Twitter / DisyuntivaTV
Footage shows the devastation caused by the explosion at a fireworks market in Mexico
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Footage shows the devastation caused by the explosion at a fireworks market in MexicoCredit: Facebook Video-Pro Tultepec
Rescue workers at the scene of the explosion that has claimed at least 31 lives
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Rescue workers at the scene of the explosion that has claimed at least 31 livesCredit: AP:Associated Press
Firefighters continue to damp down hotspots as fireworks go off around them
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Firefighters continue to damp down hotspots as fireworks go off around themCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Red Cross sent 10 ambulances with 50 paramedics to the scene
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The Red Cross sent 10 ambulances with 50 paramedics to the sceneCredit: Getty Images

Crescencia Francisco Garcia arrived in the afternoon to buy fireworks and said she was near the middle of the grid of stalls when the explosions began around 2.30pm.

"All of a sudden it started booming," the 41-year-old Mexico City resident said. "I and the others surrounding me all took off running."

Eventually Garcia was able to find her daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren who were waiting in a car just inside the perimeter fence

In 2005, a fire engulfed the same market, sparking a chain of explosions that destroyed hundreds of stalls, just ahead of Mexico's Independence Day.

Many in Mexico traditionally celebrate holidays — including Christmas and New Year's — by setting off noisy firecrackers and rockets.

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