Background on the Incident
On January 9, a gas explosion occurred in a residential building located at the intersection of Paseo de los Naranjos and Paseo de los Cipreses in the Coyoacán district of Mexico City. The explosion, initially affecting 11 people, led to eight receiving immediate medical attention on-site and three being transported to hospitals for specialized care.
Current Status of Victims
Two individuals were released from the hospital, while a man remains hospitalized with severe burns covering 80% of his body. His condition is described as delicate but stable by Mexico City authorities.
Cause of the Explosion
According to early investigations by the SGIRPC, the accident was caused by a gas leak and accumulation of liquefied petroleum gas (LP) on the third floor of the affected building. The explosion occurred around 8:55 AM, causing damage to both the impacted building and nearby structures.
- At least 30 adjacent properties sustained collateral damage, primarily affecting glass and window coverings.
- The building where the incident occurred suffered structural damage, necessitating the evacuation of its residents.
Building Uninhabitable and Support for Affected Families
The Secretaría de Vivienda reported that the building was secured with preventative measures, including bracing and boarding up. Currently, it is deemed uninhabitable.
- 24 families and the building’s concierge are receiving hotel accommodation support while temporary rental assistance is being arranged.
- Protección Civil personnel continue risk mitigation efforts, including removing broken glass and debris, as well as collaborating with other Mexico City agencies to assess the situation.
Attention for Neighbors and Safety Measures
Immediately following the incident, temporary shelters were set up for residents to receive guidance on available support, medical evaluations, and institutional accompaniment.
- A mobile command post was established to receive requests from nearby residents.
- Approximately 2,500 people were evacuated from the area, and a perimeter was established with gas cylinder and valve inspections in neighboring buildings to ensure no dangerous pressure variations following the explosion.
Ongoing Peritajes and Investigations
Authorities from the Fiscalía General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México conducted on-site peritajes to determine responsibility and assign structural dictamen to both the affected building and nearby properties.
The Mexico City Government reaffirmed its commitment to providing necessary support for those affected and safeguarding the population’s integrity and rights.
Key Questions and Answers
- What caused the gas explosion in Coyoacán? The initial investigations by SGIRPC suggest that the accident was caused by a gas leak and accumulation of liquefied petroleum gas (LP) on the third floor of the affected building.
- How many people were affected by the explosion? Initially, 11 people were impacted by the explosion.
- What is the current status of those affected? Two individuals have been released from the hospital, while one man remains hospitalized with severe burns. The building is currently deemed uninhabitable.
- What support are affected families receiving? 24 families and the building’s concierge are being provided hotel accommodation support, along with temporary rental assistance.
- What safety measures were taken following the explosion? Approximately 2,500 people were evacuated from the area, gas cylinders and valves in neighboring buildings were inspected, and temporary shelters were set up for residents to receive guidance on available support.
