Deadly Explosion at Hermosillo Store Kills 23

Hermosillo, Mexico — An explosion followed by a fire affected a Waldo's store in the center of Hermosillo, Sonora, on Saturday, November 1, 2025. Authorities confirmed the incident resulted in fatalities and injuries. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced she instructed the deployment of support equipment to assist the families of the victims and the wounded.

The incident occurred between 14:00 and 15:00 hours, according to the first reports from the state's Civil Protection agency. Authorities confirmed tonight that the disaster claimed the lives of 23 people and left 11 injured.

Initial reports indicated that a high-intensity detonation originated in front of the establishment and caused the immediate propagation of the fire. Some individuals were trapped inside the store while attempting to seek shelter.

President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a message to convey her condolences to the families and loved ones of the people who died in the fire at a store in central Hermosillo. She stated she is "in contact with the Governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, to provide support in whatever is needed. I instructed the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, to send support equipment to attend to the relatives and the injured."

Authorities Confirm Fatalities

The Governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, and the Mayor of Hermosillo, Antonio Astiazarán, confirmed the deaths of people as a result of the fire.

Initial reports from Civil Protection indicated 14 people had died in the fire; however, reports in local media suggested the number of deceased could be as high as 22. Furthermore, more than 20 injured people were reported, five of them in serious condition. The wounded were transferred to hospitals in the city, such as the Clínica del Noroeste, where they received specialized medical attention.

Mobilization of Emergency Services

Firefighters, the Red Cross, Civil Protection, and state and municipal police officers responded to the location. Firefighters controlled the fire after several hours of work and prevented the flames from reaching nearby businesses.

Governor Durazo and Mayor Astiazarán expressed their condolences to the affected families and assured that the state and municipal governments would provide support and accompaniment to the victims.

Investigation into the Causes

Local and state authorities are conducting forensic investigations to determine the origin of the explosion. Among the possible causes being analyzed are mechanical failures, gas leaks, the presence of flammable materials, or electrical problems.

The area remains cordoned off while cooling and site-securing operations continue. Civil Protection asked the population to stay away from the zone to avoid interfering with the rescue and investigation work.

The Sonora Secretary of Public Security ruled out that the incident was an attack or a violent act against civilians.

Context: Similar Fires in Mexico During 2025

During 2025, several fires were registered in commercial establishments and warehouses in different states of the country, according to reports from Civil Protection and notes from La Silla Rota.

In May, a fire at a plastics factory in Tultitlán, State of Mexico, prompted the evacuation of more than 200 workers. In June, another fire affected a materials warehouse in Guadalajara, Jalisco, where five people were reported injured due to smoke inhalation.

In August, a fire reached a market in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, and consumed more than 150 stalls. In that event, municipal authorities reported the fire started due to an electrical fault.

In September, a fire at a fuel storage plant in Altamira, Tamaulipas, mobilized personnel from Pemex and the National Guard to control the situation and prevent a larger explosion.

These incidents reflect the frequency with which emergencies linked to gas leaks, faulty electrical installations, and the storage of flammable materials in enclosed spaces occur. The federal Civil Protection reiterated that local governments must review industrial safety protocols and strengthen the inspection of establishments with high concentrations of people.