Steel plant explosion in central Mexico kills at least 12 people

In the early hours of October 30, an explosion at a steel plant owned by Simec in Mexico's Tlaxcala state tragically claimed the lives of at least 12 workers, according to state authorities.

The incident occurred at the company’s facility in Apizaco, Tlaxcala, following a reported spill of molten steel, which caused a temporary shutdown of plant operations, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

"A liquid steel spill occurred at the steel complex in Apizaco, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and a temporary halt to operations," Simec stated, adding that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.

Initial reports from Tlaxcala's Civil Protection Directorate suggest the blast may have been triggered by the collapse of a smelting apparatus at the facility. Officials have noted that contact between molten steel and water can lead to explosive reactions.

One worker remains hospitalized in critical condition. Firefighters and emergency response teams have been deployed to the scene to contain the situation and ensure safety. The state prosecutor’s office has also launched an investigation to establish accountability.

Tlaxcala Governor Lorena Cuéllar took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the fatal incident and noted that authorities are committed to a thorough investigation.

By Khagan Isayev