Eight people have died in hospitals from their injuries and another 20 are in critical condition after a gas tanker explosion in Mexico City, the head of the local civil protection service, Miriam Ursua, said, quoted by DPA. According to authorities, the total number of injured is around 90 people, BTA reports.
The incident occurred after a truck with a capacity of 49,500 liters of gas overturned on a highway overpass and exploded. According to the mayor of the Mexican capital, Clara Brugada, the powerful blast wave set fire to at least 18 vehicles in the area.
Among the injured are children, including at least one baby. The driver of the tanker was also seriously injured and hospitalized. The prosecutor's office is already investigating the causes of the accident, Brugada said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased and injured. The tragedy occurred in one of the densely populated neighborhoods of the Mexican capital, which further increased the number of victims and the extent of the damage.