Mexico City, Nov 2 (NationPress) At least 22 individuals, including four children, tragically lost their lives due to an explosion that ignited a fire at a department store located in Hermosillo, the capital of the northern Mexican state of Sonora, as reported by local media.

The explosion took place in the afternoon at a popular department store within the city center. Witnesses recounted that the fire rapidly engulfed the building and surrounding vehicles, trapping numerous people inside, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Emergency response teams swiftly arrived on the scene to conduct search-and-rescue efforts and to transport the 12 injured individuals to nearby hospitals.

Initial investigations indicate that the fire might have been initiated by smoke from a faulty transformer.

The explosion originated in one of the stores belonging to the local Waldo's chain, which was followed by a significant fire. Local media highlighted that those who were injured suffered from severe burns.

Authorities in Sonora have stated that the possibility of a terrorist attack has been eliminated.

Earlier in September, an explosion involving a gas tanker truck in Mexico City resulted in three fatalities and over 50 injuries, with 19 individuals in critical condition, according to local authorities.

This incident occurred on the Zaragoza road beneath the Concordia bridge, as shared by Clara Brugada Molina, the head of the Mexican capital's government, on social media platform X.

The explosion transpired around 2:20 p.m. local time when the truck, which had a capacity of 49,500 litres, overturned. Injured individuals were promptly taken to various hospitals, as reported by local media.

This accident also impacted 18 vehicles, with 19 of the injured individuals admitted to hospitals in serious condition.