A massive fire broke out at a crowded fairground in central Mexico on Thursday, killing at least five people and injuring dozens. The fire department said flames spread rapidly, and the dense crowd made evacuation extremely difficult.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by the use of open flames at temporary stalls. Local officials noted that the fair attracted large numbers of visitors during a festival period, and inadequate emergency exits were a key factor in the severity of casualties.
Mexico’s president has ordered safety inspections of similar festival venues nationwide and directed local governments to strengthen fire safety oversight.