Illegal Fireworks Explosion Injures Over 300 and Leaves 56 Dead
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By:Cassandra Davis, Amanda McCabe, 
Darren Brod, and Ryan Moll
 
    CELAYA, Mexico- On  Sunday September  26, at 10:30 a.m., an explosion ripped through a local market area and a section of businesses. The four blasts created a war-zone effect, with wrecked cars, tons of debris, and the death toll rose to 56. “The chances of survivors are remote, but none the 
explosion less we are doing everything that we can,” says Sebastian Barrera. “In fact, through the night, there were people with dogs searching and there were no signs of life.” He also says, “The danger will not totally be removed until we clear the debris.”
     Authorities haven’t reached a conclusion as to how it started, why it was done, or who did it, but they suspect the first blast was started in the back of a candy store. 
    Many medical doctors were called from as far away as Mexico City, 120 miles Southwest of Celaya. 348 of the victims survived the blast, but many were sent home with cuts, burns, and bruises. Officials say the death count could reach 100. “We don’t have any hope of finding anymore survivors…just bodies,” says Captain Francisco Estrada.“There are probably more under the rubble.”
    The first explosion occurred at an illegal fireworks depot, while people were buying food at the local market. It destroyed the market and the bus station, reducing them to ruins.Twenty minutes later the gas tank in a restaurant was engulfed in flames, causing a second blast. Two other blasts took place later, leaving more and more dead. “I saw a woman covered with blood, screaming that her son was dead, and that she wanted go in the shop and find him,” says Barrera. The total dead included four children, among other victims of the devastating explosion.
    Sunday night at a sports hall dead bodies were spread out so that people could find their lost loved-ones who died in the tragic explosions. Jesus Matehuala, who lost his son and son-in-law says, “It was like a living hell.”

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