Dozens of people have died after a truck carrying mining explosives in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila blew up soon after involvement in a crash.
Dozens of people have died after a truck carrying mining explosives in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila blew up soon after involvement in a crash.
Many of those killed are believed to be onlookers and emergency personnel who were at the scene of the accident when the vehicle exploded.
Many of those killed are believed to be onlookers and emergency personnel who were at the scene of the accident when the vehicle exploded.
The exact number of fatalities is not clear but officials said more than 30 were thought dead and 150 injured.
The exact number of fatalities is not clear but officials said more than 30 were thought dead and 150 injured.
The explosion left a 15m-wide (40ft) crater in the road, police said.
The explosion left a 15m-wide (40ft) crater in the road, police said.
Local officials said the truck and another vehicle crashed into one another on a busy road running from Monclova, some 850km (530 miles) north of Mexico City, to Cuatro Cienagas on Sunday evening.
Local officials said the truck and another vehicle crashed into one another on a busy road running from Monclova, some 850km (530 miles) north of Mexico City, to Cuatro Cienagas on Sunday evening.
The accident drew a crowd of local residents, as well as police, firefighters and local reporters.
The accident drew a crowd of local residents, as well as police, firefighters and local reporters.
The wreckage caught fire some time after the crash, sending flames shooting into the air, a police spokesman said.
The wreckage caught fire some time after the crash, sending flames shooting into the air, a police spokesman said.
The blaze consumed nearby cars and left a huge hole in the road.
The blaze consumed nearby cars and left a huge hole in the road.
Among the dead were at least three journalists who had gone to cover the accident.
Among the dead were at least three journalists who had gone to cover the accident.
"Reporters who were taking photographs died there as well as emergency workers and drivers who stopped to help," Coahuila state governor Humberto Moreira said.
"Reporters who were taking photographs died there as well as emergency workers and drivers who stopped to help," Coahuila state governor Humberto Moreira said.
Coahuila is a mining state where explosives are used in the coal industry.
Coahuila is a mining state where explosives are used in the coal industry.
Last year, a mining accident in Coahuila left 65 people dead.
Last year, a mining accident in Coahuila left 65 people dead.
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