One dead, 40 hurt in Mexican confectionery factory explosion
Blast causes factory floor to collapse in border town leaving one worker dead and six in serious condition
An explosion inside a confectionery factory in the border city of Ciudad Juarez on Thursday left one person dead and at least 40 injured, Mexican authorities said. Several workers remain missing.
The blast took place on the second floor of the Dulces Blueberry factory and caused the floor to collapse, injuring people working downstairs, said factory worker Ismael Bouchet.
“I was able to help five people who walked out of the building but as soon as they were out they went into shock and fainted,” he said outside the factory, which produces gummy bears, jelly beans, peach rings and other sweets.
Authorities said the cause of the blast hadn’t been determined but Bouchet said a steam boiler had been installed recently in the area.
Ciudad Juarez Civil Protection Director Fernando Mota said firefighters found a body inside and that six of the at least 40 injured are in serious condition. Several workers are missing and could be trapped inside the building, he added.
Bouchet said people could smell acid in the area where the explosion occurred.