Background on the Incident
On Friday, January 9th, at approximately 8:55 AM, an explosion occurred in a residential building located in the Paseos de Taxqueña neighborhood, within the Coyoacán alcaldía of Mexico City.
According to the authorities, the accident took place at the intersection of Paseo de los Naranjos and Paseo de los Cipreses, caused by a gas leak and accumulation of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) on the third level of the building.
Key Details of the Explosion
- Injuries: The Secretariat of Integral Risk Management and Urban Protection (SGIRPC) reported that five people were injured in the incident. They were attended to on-site by personnel from the Rescue and Medical Emergency Squad (ERUM).
- Hospital Transfers: Two of the injured individuals required transfer to a hospital for specialized medical attention.
- Building Damage: Several apartments in building number 21 B, where the incident occurred, sustained minor damage to window and finish work. Other apartments experienced structural damage, though the exact number remains unspecified.
- Collateral Damage: Thirty neighboring properties suffered collateral damage, including broken glass and window issues.
Official Response and Investigation
In response to the damages, the SGIRPC requested assistance from the Secretariat of Public Works and Services as well as the Housing Secretarium to provide necessary support for residents unable to return to their properties until all risks are ruled out.
Approximately 2,500 residents were evacuated from the affected building. The area was cordoned off, and gas cylinder and tank valves in nearby properties were shut down to verify that pressure levels remained unchanged following the explosion’s vibration.
Myriam Vilma Urzúa Venegas, the head of SGIRPC, announced that structural inspections would be conducted on both the affected building and neighboring properties.
Elements from the Fiscalía General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México (Mexico City Attorney General’s Office) visited the scene to conduct the necessary investigation.
Giovani Gutiérrez, head of Coyoacán’s alcaldía, announced the establishment of a shelter for affected residents.
Key Questions and Answers
- What caused the explosion? A gas leak and accumulation of LPG on the third level of building number 21 B in Paseos de Taxqueña.
- How many people were injured? Five individuals sustained injuries, with two requiring hospitalization for specialized care.
- What damages were reported? Minor damage to window and finish work in several apartments, structural damage in unspecified apartments, and collateral damage to 30 neighboring properties.
- What actions were taken by authorities? Evacuation of 2,500 residents, cordoning off the area, shutting down gas cylinders and tank valves in nearby properties for pressure checks, and initiating structural inspections.
- What is the status of the investigation? The Fiscalía General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México is conducting an investigation, and a shelter has been established for affected residents by the Coyoacán alcaldía.
