Girl Loses Thumb in Tortilla Grinder Accident in Tulum

Tulum, Quintana Roo — An 11-year-old girl was rushed to a hospital in Playa del Carmen after her hand became trapped in a tortilla grinder at a home in an informal settlement in Tulum, resulting in the amputation of her thumb and severe damage to her index finger, which doctors are trying to save.

Relatives called 911, prompting a response from municipal police and paramedics. They arrived at a home on the corner of Kukulkán Avenue and Jupiter Sur, where they found the girl with serious injuries caused by the machinery.

According to information gathered at the scene, the girl was apparently helping clean the grinder when the equipment accidentally activated and caught her hand. The force of the mechanism crushed part of her fingers, causing panic among those present.

Paramedics from Hospital Tulum provided pre-hospital care and then transported her under red code to the IMSS-Bienestar hospital. Due to the severity of the injuries and the risk of further tissue loss, doctors decided to transfer her to a hospital in Playa del Carmen for specialized treatment.

Officers from the Specialized Group for Attention to Family and Gender Violence (GEAVIG) also responded because the victim is a minor. Authorities began gathering information to determine the circumstances of the accident and whether the girl was helping with household chores or working in the establishment.

The incident has raised concerns among local residents about the dangers of such equipment when operated without proper safety measures, especially around children.