1 dead, at least 40 injured in explosion inside candy factory in northern Mexico
10/24/2013CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — An explosion inside a candy factory today in the border city of Ciudad Juarez left one person dead and at least 40 injured, Mexican authorities said.
Firefighters found a body inside the Dulces Blueberry factory, said Ciudad Juarez Civil Protection Director Fernando Mota, adding that six of the injured are in serious condition.
Mota said there are several workers missing and they could be trapped inside the building located in this city across the border from El Paso, Texas.
Factory worker Ismael Bouchet said people could smell acid in the area where the explosion occurred.
“Since the morning, several co-workers said there was a bad smell, that it smelled of acid and because it was a new area we thought it was normal,” Bouchet said.
He said he saw several people with bone fractures and burns.
“I was able to help five people who walked out of the building but as soon as they were out they went into shock and fainted,” he said.
Photographs of workers being helped by paramedics showed people with injuries that resembled chemical burns.