Massive explosion reported at suspected fuel theft site in Mexico

Several gas tankers exploded at a suspected illegal fuel storage site in central Mexico, sending a large fireball over the area and forcing the evacuation of about 2,000 people from a hospital, schools and nearby homes, according to officials. No injuries have been reported at hospitals.

The explosion happened at about 9:53 a.m. on Thursday in Tepeaca, in the state of Puebla, according to state civil protection coordinator Bernabé López Santos.

López Santos said the explosion occurred at a warehouse where gas tanker trucks were being stored. He said four gas cisterns exploded, while Puebla Governor Alejandro Armenta later said officials estimated that six tanker trucks were involved.

Firefighters, civil protection crews, state police, the army, the navy and prosecutors responded to the scene. Authorities also inspected another nearby warehouse where additional gas trucks were found inside.

The Puebla government said a unified command was activated after the explosion. About 2,000 people were evacuated from Tepeaca General Hospital, a high school, a school complex and nearby homes as a precaution.

Armenta said about 60 patients were among those evacuated from the hospital. He said videos on social media showed the moment children and students were being moved away from the area.

Video from the scene showed a column of black smoke rising above a Pemex gas station before a large explosion sent flames high into the air. Other footage showed a massive orange fireball expanding over trees and nearby buildings.

Officials said the fire was still being put out and that a full assessment would be possible once crews finished working at the site. Armenta said there were reports of damage caused by the blast wave.

There were no reports of injured people at hospitals, according to the governor, but he said authorities would only be able to determine whether anyone was in the immediate area after the fire was fully extinguished.

Local media reported that the site may have been linked to illegal fuel storage or fuel theft, a practice known in Mexico as huachicoleo. Officials did not immediately confirm the cause of the explosion.

Armenta said the state would ask federal prosecutors to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.