Massive gas tanker explosion in Mexico City injures at least 57 people, some seriously

MEXICO CITY — A gas tanker truck exploded along a Mexico City highway Wednesday, sending flames and smoke billowing over the south of the capital and injuring at least 57 people, some with their entire bodies charred and others waiting for help in the middle of the road with burns and torn clothing

MEXICO CITY — A gas tanker truck exploded along a Mexico City highway Wednesday, sending flames and smoke billowing over the south of the capital and injuring at least 57 people, some with their entire bodies charred and others waiting for help in the middle of the road with burns and torn clothing.

Mayor Clara Brugada called the explosion under a highway overpass an “emergency” that burned 18 vehicles and left 19 of those injured in grave condition. She said no one had yet died from their injuries, and the wounded were taken to hospitals across the city.

Brugada said prosecutors were investigating the incident, but it appeared that the truck exploded after it tipped over on the highway.

A person walks near a damaged truck after a gas tanker explosion in Mexico City on Wednesday.Fernando Llano / APImages circulated online by authorities showed a mass of flames coming from a truck, while other videos on social media show dozens of people screaming and running from the explosion. The videos show two men whose entire bodies appeared to have suffered burns, with tattered clothing melded onto skin, as emergency vehicles sped by.

Cesar Cravioto, the government secretary of Mexico City, said the fire was “completely under control.”