Blast at Mexican department store kills 23

A massive explosion tore through a busy department store in downtown Hermosillo, the capital of Mexico’s Sonora state, killing at least 23 people and leaving 11 others injured, state governor Alfonso Durazo confirmed. Among the victims were minors, according to his statement. 

The blast erupted at the premises of a Waldo’s store, triggering a fierce fire that engulfed the building and caused thick plumes of smoke to billow across the city centre. Fire crews rushed to the site amid chaotic scenes, and a burning car near the scene underlined the severity of the blast. 

Governor Durazo described the day as “sad” for Sonora, especially for the families who lost loved ones. He pledged that the state government will take all necessary steps to support those affected by the tragedy. 

Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offered her condolences and confirmed that a federal assistance team had been dispatched to support victims and their families. 

Investigations are underway into the cause of the explosion, as authorities struggle to make sense of the disaster that struck in a public, commercial space. At this time, the focus remains on rescue and relief efforts, with emergency services working against time to provide aid, coordinate assistance, and help those mourning the sudden loss of family members.

This tragic incident has shaken the local community and highlighted the vulnerability of dense commercial areas to catastrophic events. With multiple fatalities and injured, the impact on the city of Hermosillo is deep, and the full scope of the damage and its long‑term consequences remain to be seen.