Fireworks explosion kills 1, injures 9 in central Mexico

MEXICO CITY – One person was killed and nine more suffered injuries when fireworks being carried in a pickup truck exploded Friday in central Mexico.

The blast happened during a religious pilgrimage in the town of Cerrito Tixmadeje, the government of the State of Mexico said. Its statement added that the pyrotechnic material was being transported without the proper safety measures.

It said the fatality was a 52-year-old man, and those injured had first-, second- and third-degree burns.

Mexican media outlets published images of the damaged truck and wounded people being taken away by ambulance and helicopter.

Fireworks are a mainstay of Mexican secular and religious celebrations, and deadly accidents happen with some regularity. Last month 14 people were killed when an errant firework touched off a fireworks cache in Puebla state.