Mexico Fireworks Blast During Religious Festival Kills 10, Leaves 64 Injured

A religious festival in central Mexico turned into a scene of devastation after a powerful fireworks explosion killed at least 10 people and injured 64 others, authorities said.

The blast took place on Saturday night near the Nuestra Senora de la Luz church in Temascalcingo, a municipality in Mexico State located around 160 kilometres northwest of Mexico City.

Hundreds of people had gathered in the area to watch a fireworks display being held as part of celebrations honouring the town's patron saint when the explosion suddenly occurred.

The force of the blast caused a wall to collapse, sending debris into the crowded area and leaving people searching through smoke and wreckage for survivors.

Videos shared on social media showed the aftermath, with dozens of people moving through the debris as emergency efforts got underway.

Among those injured were two priests, according to a local bishop.

Authorities have not yet established what caused the pyrotechnic material to explode. The Mexico State Attorney General's Office has launched an investigation into the incident.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers associated with fireworks in Mexico, where pyrotechnics are widely used during religious festivals, street celebrations and other public gatherings.

Such accidents are not uncommon. Nearly four years ago, a fireworks explosion in a village in the municipality of Huejutla in neighbouring Hidalgo state injured 17 people.

Officials are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the latest blast as the community mourns those who lost their lives and supports the injured.