Mexican Church Collapses Ahead of Baptism Ceremony... At Least 9 Dead

"Roof Collapses During Communion Ceremony... At Least 3 Children Dead"

On the 1st (local time), the roof of a church in Mexico collapsed during a mass, killing at least 9 people and injuring 50, according to the Associated Press.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to reports, the roof collapsed during the Eucharist at Santa Cruz Church in Ciudad Madero, a city in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

The police stated that about 100 people were inside the church at the time. Local security authorities reported that at least 9 people, including 3 children, have died so far due to the accident.

Approximately 50 people were injured. Among them were one 4-month-old baby, three 5-year-old children, and two 9-year-old children. AP reported that since a baptism ceremony was scheduled to take place at the cathedral at that time, many of the victims were children.

Authorities said that police, the National Guard, civil defense, and the Red Cross are participating in rescue operations. Police estimated that 30 people are still trapped under the debris.

Security authorities stated that the accident likely occurred due to structural defects in the cathedral, such as the roof made of thin concrete. According to photos released by the authorities, this concrete slab was located directly above some of the pews.

Photos from the scene indicate no signs of an explosion or other external factors, and no seismic activity was reported at the time of the collapse.

Bishop Jose Armando Alvarez requested that while rescue teams conduct search operations, anyone with wood should bring it to the church to help lift and support the collapsed roof.

The Mexican Episcopal Conference stated, "We join in prayer for the tragic loss of life and the injured."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.