A devastating pyrotechnics explosion during a religious festival in central Mexico has claimed at least 10 lives and left 64 others injured, according to Mexican authorities. The blast occurred Saturday night next to the Nuestra Señora de la Luz church in Temascalcingo, a municipality in Mexico State, as hundreds of residents gathered to watch a fireworks display.
The explosion caused a wall to collapse near the church, trapping some victims beneath the debris. Emergency services and rescue teams rushed to the scene, working through the night to assist the injured and search for survivors. The Mexico State Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion, which has not yet been established.
The explosion occurred on Saturday night, September 5, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time, in the community of Santa María Canchesdá, within the municipality of Temascalcingo in Mexico State. People had gathered outside the church for a fireworks display that was part of traditional celebrations honoring the patron saint.
According to reports, fireworks material stored in a room used as a warehouse detonated, causing part of the church and a nearby wall to collapse. The explosion triggered a fire in the town square and sent hundreds of people fleeing in panic. Social media footage from the aftermath showed dozens of people walking through thick smoke and scattered debris as they searched for survivors.
Video footage captured before the explosion showed people dancing with the firework structure in celebration before the pyrotechnics malfunctioned. The blast struck during a traditional festival ritual in which a straw bull fitted with fireworks is burned and carried around the town.
As of Sunday morning, authorities had confirmed 10 fatalities and 64 injuries. The State of Mexico government stated that eight of the victims died at the scene, while the injured were transported to hospitals near the municipality for specialized treatment.
The injured include several children and two priests from the church, according to local media reports. The diocese of the nearby municipality of Atlacomulco confirmed that the two priests are expected to survive. Health authorities said victims suffered injuries including traumatic wounds, head injuries, multiple contusions and first-, second- and third-degree burns.
Authorities emphasized that the figures remain preliminary and could change as rescue operations continue. The preliminary count, conducted at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, recorded the 10 fatalities and 64 injuries.
The explosion occurred in the community of Santa María Canchesdá, located in the municipality of Temascalcingo in Mexico State. Temascalcingo is a central Mexican municipality with approximately 66,000 residents, situated about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Mexico City.
The blast took place next to the Nuestra Señora de la Luz church (Our Lady of Light Church), a historic religious structure in the community. Santa María Canchesdá is located on the border of Mexico State with the state of Michoacán.
Hundreds of residents had gathered for the festival honoring the community’s patron saint, the Virgin of Nuestra Señora de la Luz. The celebration included a fireworks display that is traditionally part of the religious festivities.
Video footage shows people playing with fireworks and enjoying the display before the explosion occurred. The celebration was part of a traditional ritual where a straw bull fitted with fireworks is burned and carried around the town, followed by crowds watching the spectacle.
Emergency services responded immediately to the scene, with rescue teams working through the night to assist victims. State emergency workers, medical personnel, federal authorities and military forces set up a joint command post to coordinate rescue operations and control remaining hazards at the scene.
The emergency response involved:
The Incident Command System was activated to coordinate the work of participating institutions and define response actions at the site. The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) activated its protocols to receive affected individuals.
Local residents also collaborated with rescue and assistance efforts. Heavy machinery was used to remove debris from the collapsed structure.
Delfina Gómez Álvarez, Governor of the State of Mexico, expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. She confirmed that civil protection, emergency services, firefighters, the National Emergency Commission and state police would continue working in coordination to provide support to affected individuals.
The State of Mexico government confirmed that authorities from all three levels of government responded to the explosion. The government also stated that rescue operations would continue under unified coordination.
The Diocese of Atlacomulco issued a statement on social media, saying: “We join together in prayer for those who have lost their lives, their families and loved ones, as well as those who were injured and all those who are experiencing moments of pain and worry today.”
Authorities have not yet established a definitive cause for the explosion. The Mexico State Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the incident.
Initial reports indicate that fireworks material was stored in a room used as a warehouse at the church, where it detonated. The State of Mexico Pyrotechnics Institute inspected the site for active explosive material and issued recommendations for specialists to dismantle and disable it to reduce risks for emergency teams working at the scene.
Explosions involving pyrotechnics are common in Mexico, where fireworks are frequently used in street celebrations and religious festivals. The incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by fireworks in the country.
Almost four years ago, a powerful fireworks explosion in a village in the municipality of Huejutla, in the central state of Hidalgo, left 17 people injured. Two years earlier, 42 people died in another fireworks explosion in a market in the city, according to reports.
The State of Mexico Pyrotechnics Institute’s inspection of the Temascalcingo site underscores the ongoing safety concerns surrounding pyrotechnic storage and handling during public celebrations.
The investigation by the Mexico State Attorney General’s Office is expected to continue, focusing on determining the exact cause of the explosion. Authorities have said the death and injury tolls could change as rescue and recovery operations progress.
Rescue teams continue to work at the scene, searching for anyone who may remain trapped beneath the debris. The government has stated that coordinated efforts to support affected individuals will continue.
Further official updates are expected as investigators determine the full scope of the tragedy and as authorities assess any potential safety violations or regulatory failures related to the storage and handling of pyrotechnic materials at the church.
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