Mexico: At least 29 killed in fireworks blast, 72 injured

New York [U.S.], Dec. 21 : Explosions ripped through a fireworks market north of Mexico City on Tuesday, in which at least 29 people were killed as columns of smoke billowws into the sky.

According to CNN, Eruviel Avila governor of the State of Mexico said that seventy-two people were injured as the death toll climbed throughout the evening.

Video captured flashes of fire following an explosion in which a massive cloud of smoke mushroomed into the sky.

A witness told CNN that people ran for their lives. The cause for the blast was not immediately known. Jose Luis Tolentino said he was in traffic and heard loud noises. Some of the people who tried to get away tripped in the frantic dash, he said. Adding an alarming factor, Tolentino said the fireworks market is the size of a soccer stadium. In 2005, a large explosion took place at the same fireworks market which injured many people and caused enormous damage.

Source: ANI