Dozens Killed in Deadly Tanker Explosion in Mexican Suburb

There has been a deadly explosion on a highway in Ecatepec, a Mexican Suburb, leading to the deaths of at least18 people and several injured, according to officials of the Citizens Safety Department.

The explosion occurred when the gas tanker crashed into another vehicle, leaving in its wake at least 30 damaged homes and 20 charred wreckage of cars, according to media reports.

Security forces, paramedics, and firefighters were at the scene of the incident. Emergency workers have started combing through the remains of the blast site, but authorities fear that the death toll could rise higher.

Officials say the driver of the tanker that exploded is receiving medical attention while under arrest at the hospital. The highway between Mexico City and Pachuca where the blast occurred has been shut down.

Most of the victims were residents in their improvised homes close to the highway, which points out a problem of constructing homes too close to the highways.

 
In recent years, there has been a series of accidents involving overloaded Mexican lorries or unsafely operated trucks. The accidents sparked a protest that forced the government to announce measures that would be taken to tighten inspections and reduce the maximum permitted weights for trucks last year.