Background on Waldos Hermosillo and Relevance
Waldos Hermosillo is a well-known retail store located in the heart of Hermosillo, Sonora. Recently, a tragic fire at this establishment resulted in 23 fatalities and left several others injured. This article provides a detailed update on the ongoing investigation, victim identification process, and medical status of those affected.
Victim Identification and Support for Families
The Sonora State Government held a press conference on Sunday to provide an update on the fire incident at Waldos Hermosillo. Authorities confirmed that 21 out of the 23 deceased individuals have been identified and handed over to their families.
- Identification Timeline: 19 bodies were identified during the early morning hours, and two more in the morning of Sunday, making a total of 21 identified victims.
- Support for Families: Authorities are providing support to all families for funeral arrangements, legal advice, psychological counseling, and social assistance through the State Commission for Victims’ Attention.
- Unclaimed Bodies:
- Right to Truth and Justice: Authorities assured that no family is facing this situation alone, ensuring their rights to truth, justice, and comprehensive reparation.
Two bodies remain at the Medical Forensic Service, awaiting claimants. One of them is a woman who might require DNA testing for identification if no family member comes forward.
Medical Condition of the Injured
José Luis Alomía Zegarra, the state’s Secretary of Health, reported that 15 individuals were admitted to second-level hospitals following the fire. Several were discharged early on, but as of midday today, five remain hospitalized.
- Critical Conditions: Two individuals, a 20-year-old woman and an 81-year-old man, are in critical condition at a private hospital under constant supervision by specialists.
- Stable Conditions: Three others are in public hospitals with stable conditions, suffering minor burns covering less than 10% of their bodies.
- Pre-Discharge: One patient is in pre-discharge status and may leave soon, while the other two could be discharged within one or two days.
- Specialized Care Abroad: If her condition permits and her family agrees, the 20-year-old woman may receive specialized care outside the country due to the prolonged recovery process for severe burn treatment.
Investigation and On-Site Work
The Sonora Fiscalía confirmed that the fire site has been cleared by firefighters, and Proteção Civil authorized experts’ entry after determining low structural risk.
- Expert Teams: Criminalistics, fire, explosives specialists, and forensic photography experts are working within the premises.
- Intentional Fire Hypothesis: Authorities reiterated that there are no indications of intentional ignition, maintaining the accident hypothesis as the primary theory.
Testimonies and Collected Statements
Gustavo Rómulo Salas Chávez, the state’s Fiscal General, and Carlos Alberto Flores, head of the Criminal Investigation Agency (AMIC), reported that 38 interviews have been conducted with witnesses, employees, and individuals present in the store.
- Electrical Failures: Interviews consistently report electrical failures or power outages within the store shortly before the fire.
- Operational and Administrative Personnel: Four individuals with operational or administrative roles have given statements to the Ministry Public, and a fifth will be presented.
- Unaccounted Information: Information regarding internal Protection Civil areas and maintenance of the premises is still pending.
- Claimant Families: Out of the 23 deceased, 21 have been claimed by their families.
Permit Review and Protection Civil
Adolfo Salazar Razo, the state’s Secretary of Government, mentioned that Waldos Hermosillo’s internal Protection Civil program was approved in 2019 and revalidated in 2020 by the previous municipal administration.
- 2021 Resolution: The current administration issued a negative resolution for the program’s update in 2021.
- Documentation Review: All permit-related documents are under review and part of the Fiscalía’s investigation.
- Electricity Condition Review: Authorities are collaborating with the Federal Electricity Commission to review the building’s electrical conditions and determine if any failures contributed to the incident.
