Tlaxcala, Mexico – A tragic explosion and fire at a steelworks plant in Tlaxcala claimed the lives of 12 workers early Wednesday morning, according to state officials. The incident occurred at the Simec steelworks located in Xaloztoc, northeast of Tlaxcala City.
The explosion, which took place during the night shift, resulted in the death of 12 workers while one person sustained injuries. Initial reports indicated that the blast occurred in a tower where the steel pouring process occurs, leading to a fatal reaction when the steel came into contact with water.
Footage shared on social media captured the massive fireball that erupted from the steelworks during the explosion. Emergency response teams from the municipal, state, and federal levels, along with the army and navy, quickly mobilized to the scene after receiving reports of the incident around 3 a.m., successfully controlling the fire and conducting inspections to ensure no further risks.
Tlaxcala Governor Lorena Cuéllar expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to provide support during this difficult time. State authorities, including the Tlaxcala Attorney General’s Office, launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Simec, the Mexican company operating the steelworks, manufactures various steel products and operates facilities in different Mexican cities. The company also owns Republic Steel in the United States, having acquired it in 2005. In a strategic move in 2023, Simec decided to indefinitely close Republic Steel’s older mills in Ohio and New York and shift operations to its more modern plant in Xaloztoc.
The tragic event at the Tlaxcala steelworks serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by workers in industrial settings and underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. The community mourns the loss of lives in this devastating accident and looks to authorities for a thorough investigation to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the explosion and fire.