At least 10 people were killed and more than 60 others injured when fireworks detonated during a village festival in Santa Maria Canchesda, located in the Temascalcingo municipality of central Mexico. The incident occurred on Saturday during a local ritual, according to reports.

Video footage captured the moment revelers were carrying a bull effigy constructed from straw, from which fireworks were actively spouting. This procession was part of a local celebration. The burning bull is believed to have ignited a larger cache of fireworks stored at the village church.

The subsequent explosion caused significant damage, knocking down walls and igniting a fire in the town square. Local media reported that some individuals were trapped beneath falling debris in the immediate aftermath of the blast. The diocese of Atlacomulco, a nearby municipality, confirmed that two priests sustained injuries but are expected to recover.

"We join together in prayer for those who have lost their lives, their families and loved ones, as well as those who were injured and all those who are experiencing moments of pain and worry today," the diocese stated in a message shared on social media.

Mexico's Attorney General’s Office has announced that the precise cause of the explosion remains undetermined and an investigation has been launched. This incident adds to a history of deadly fireworks-related mishaps in Mexico.

In July 2018, a devastating explosion at a fireworks factory in Tultepec, north of Mexico City, resulted in the deaths of 24 people. Two years prior to that, in 2016, another fireworks explosion in a market in the same city claimed the lives of 42 individuals.

These past events highlight the inherent dangers associated with the production and use of fireworks, particularly during public celebrations. The frequency of such tragedies underscores the ongoing challenges in enforcing safety regulations within the industry.

Authorities are currently working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the explosion in Santa Maria Canchesda. The investigation will likely examine factors such as the storage of fireworks, the proximity to the church, and the nature of the bull effigy's pyrotechnics.