Overview of the Incident
Ten days after a gas tanker explosion on the La Concordia bridge, connecting Mexico City and the State of Mexico, the Capital’s Public Health Department reported that the death toll had risen to 27. The latest victim, Ricardo Corona Hernández, a 38-year-old man, was confirmed deceased.
Victims and Their Stories
Earlier, the deaths of Erik Vicente Acevedo Romero, 33, the microbus driver whose vehicle was engulfed in flames, and María Salud Molina, 59, a passenger who attempted to escape by jumping containment barriers and crossing avenues, were reported.
Currently, 18 individuals remain hospitalized, while 39 have been discharged. The Fiscal General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México (FGJCDMX) reported that two victims remain unidentified, prompting a call for public assistance to locate their families.
- Unidentified Male Victim: Between 40 and 50 years old, 1.64 meters tall, medium build, short brown hair, fair complexion, and an aquiline nose. Believed to be Gilberto Arón or Arón Gustavo Hernández López.
- Unidentified Female Victim: Between 15 and 25 years old, in critical condition. Features include a vertical scar from a C-section, tattoos of an interlocking heart and rose on the lower back, a Greek-style bracelet tattoo on the right forearm, and heart tattoos on the left ankle.
Ongoing Investigations by FGJCDMX
Bertha Alcalde Luján, the Fiscal General, announced that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the gas tanker’s overturning and subsequent explosion on the La Concordia bridge in Iztapalapa.
The gas tanker, owned by Silza and originating from Tuxpan, Veracruz, was en route to a gas station in the Tláhuac district. While entering the Mexico-Puebla highway, it lost control on an uphill curve, crashed into containment walls, and overturned. This led to a gas leak and an explosion with a 180-meter diameter.
The container fracture was caused by a collision with a rigid object. Investigations continue to establish the exact cause of the incident, focusing on operational conditions and compliance with regulations by the company.
Support for Affected Families
Alcalde Luján emphasized that the institution has provided support to affected individuals and their families through legal advisors guiding them throughout the legal process and ensuring respect for their rights.
- Legal, Psychological, and Social Assistance: A helpline (55 4609 4432) and a physical module at Dr. Río de la Loza 156, 5th floor, Colonia Doctores, offer legal, psychological, and social assistance 24/7.
- Mobile Units: Four mobile units of the Public Ministry have been set up in hospitals to gather information and provide support without requiring additional transportation.
- Hospital locations: Hospital General “Dr. Rubén Leñero,” Hospital Magdalena de las Salinas del IMSS, Hospital Regional “Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza” del ISSSTE, and the National Institute for Rehabilitation “Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra.”
Alcalde Luján stressed the commitment to providing legal, psychological, and social support to every victim and family member from the onset.
