Witnesses described chaotic scenes as a loud blast shook the area, followed by thick smoke billowing from the building. Emergency services rushed to the scene, battling the flames for hours while rescuers searched for survivors trapped inside.

Authorities stated that preliminary investigations indicate the explosion was not caused by a criminal attack but may have been an accident, potentially due to a faulty electrical transformer or toxic gas accumulation inside the store.

Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, especially of minors, and called for a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum extended condolences to the victims’ families and pledged federal support for the injured and those affected.

Local residents gathered near the site to pray and provide assistance, while firefighters and medical teams continued their rescue operations late into the night. The explosion has left Hermosillo in mourning, marking one of the deadliest urban accidents in northern Mexico in recent years.