Thursday, January 29, 2015

7 Dead And 66 Reported Injured After Gas Explosion Rips Mexican Infant Hospital Apart

At least 7 dead including four infants have been reported after gas explosion in Mexico, D.F.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 29, 2015

Mexico, D.F. - On Thursday, Mexican authorities have reported that 66 people, including infants were injured after a gas explosion ripped apart the Infant Maternity Hospital in Cuajimalpa. Medical rescue workers indicated that at least seven victims have died including four infants.
The hospital staff reported a gas leak before 6:45 a.m. and fire rescue units arrived at the scene. A half hour later around 7:10 a.m., an explosion occurred and was captured on a cell phone video by a spectator on the street.
Apparently, a gas truck from Gas Express Nieto was filling the gas system and a hose connector began to leak, which ignited and the gas exploded destroying about 70% of the hospital, according to Miguel Ángel Mancera, the Governor of Mexico, D.F.
Rescue workers throughout the day have been removing debris to locate possible missing, injured and surviving victims, according to Mancera.
Armando Ahued, the Health Secretary has confirmed that 21 of the 66 injured were infants, which seven are in critical condition, also seven adults were reported in critical condition as well.
Another version, a gas pipe was being repaired when a leak was detected, but someone connected a heater close to the gas leak and sparked an explosion. 18 victims are listed as critical condition and some might not survive, according to authorities. The dead count could increase. 
According to neighbors, police blocked the streets and access to the hospital scene and kept news media away for a while until word began to spread around the neighborhood. People began to arrive at the scene looking for relatives. The hospital has a 35 bed capacity and more than 100 people and staff were at the hospital facility when the gas ignited causing kaos.
People are criticizing the fire rescue units of not evacuating the hospital in time before the explosion occurred.

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