A horrific tragedy has unfolded in Hermosillo, Mexico, where at least 23 shoppers, including children, perished in a fire that broke out at a Waldo's discount store.
Videos and photos went viral showing the scene. One video showed that the fire inside the store extended to a car outside.
According to La Jornado, the 23 people who died included "six minors," and dozens more were "seriously injured." The site reported that an explosion occurred, followed by a fire, on November 1, and most victims "died from toxic gas inhalation."
Waldo's "was full of customers who made their purchases for the fortnight and the proximity of the Day of the Dead," reported La Jornado, which described the dead as "12 women, five men, four girls and two boys."
According to the Associated Press, a video showed a "burned man" collapsing outside the store. The fire "originated in a transformer," the AP reported. Photos showed the charred store.
Waldo's posted a statement to Facebook. The translation says: “At Waldo’s, we deeply regret the incident at one of our stores in Hermosillo, which resulted in the loss of life and injuries, according to preliminary reports from authorities."
The chain added, "We express our solidarity with those affected and their families. Our team is working to provide them with the necessary support during this difficult time. The causes of the incident are being investigated by local authorities, as is standard procedure in these cases. We will cooperate fully and responsibly in any way required."
"My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the people who died in the fire that occurred in a store in downtown Hermosillo," Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, wrote on X. "I have been in contact with the governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, to provide support as needed. I instructed the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, to send a support team in order to assist the families and the injured."
