PhOtOs-Explosion at Mexico Maternity Hospital Kills 7
 

Mexico Maternity Hospital Blast Kills 7

Four babies are reportedly among the dead, with dozens of other patients injured, following an explosion outside the hospital.


Sky News, UK, Thursday 29 January 2015


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At least seven people, including four babies, have reportedly died after a fuel truck blast next to a maternity and children's hospital in Mexico City.


Rescuers are still searching through rubble to find anyone trapped by the explosion outside the hospital in the Cuajimalpa borough.


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Part of the hospital was destroyed. Pic: Luis Miguel Baraa

Borough president Adrian Rubalcava reported that four babies and three adults were so far known to have died.

Some 32 adults and 22 children have been injured, with many of them hit by flying glass.

None of the injuries were serious, according to Mexico City mayor Miguel Angel Mancera.


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Staff transferred the patients to nearby hospitals. Pic: Luis Miguel Baraa


Around 100 patients were in the building at the time of the blast and dozens have been moved to other hospitals for their own safety.

"We have to conduct an evacuation for safety because a lot of the people are babies in the crib area," Mr Mancera said.

The mayor said the blast was caused by a leak in the hose carrying gas from the truck to the hospital.


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At least seven people are known to have died. Pic: Luis Miguel Baraa


A column of smoke billowed over the area in the west of the city as firefighters tried to extinguish the flames.

About 40% of the building was destroyed, according to officials, with the heaviest damage near a loading dock.

"There was a super explosion and everything caught on fire," said 27-year-old Ismael Garcia, who lives a block from the hospital.

Mr Garcia entered the hospital with others.

"Fortunately, we were able to get eight babies out," he said.


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Some 40% of the hospital was destroyed


Mexico has been hit by other gas explosion tragedies in recent years.

Twenty-five people died in May 2013 when a gas tanker's container came loose on a motorway north of Mexico City, setting nearby homes and cars on fire.

Three people died last year in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas when a gas leak caused an explosion in a shopping centre.