The Sonora Prosecutor's Office reported that the main hypothesis regarding the cause of the explosion and fire that left 23 dead and 11 injured on Saturday at a Waldos store in downtown Hermosillo points to an accidental event, possibly originating from a transformer inside the establishment. In a press release, the agency stated that “the working hypothesis is that the event was accidental, and the line of investigation revolves around a transformer that was inside the commercial premises.” The prosecutor's office clarified that expert examinations are ongoing and access to the location remains restricted due to the work of firefighters. “As soon as the Fire Department allows access to the interior of the premises, as they are still removing debris, the structure is inspected, and it is safe for experts to enter, the precise causes of the disaster can be determined,” it was stated. So far, five people remain hospitalized: two at the Noroeste Clinic, one at the ISSSTE's Ocaranza Hospital, and two more at IMSS hospitals (HGZ14 and HGZ2). The governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo Montaño, explained that the disaster began with an explosion inside the building located on Doctor Noriega Street, in the downtown area of Hermosillo, which caused the fire to spread rapidly. According to the newspaper El Imparcial, among the fatalities are six men, nine women, and at least seven minors. The State Civil Protection Coordination asked the population to avoid the area to allow emergency operations to proceed. The Sonora Secretariat of Security ruled out that the event was related to organized crime or that it was an attack. Paty Duarte, whose son died in the June 5, 2009, fire at the ABC daycare, called on the federal and state governments to begin transferring girls, boys, and adolescents to the United States for “dignified care.” “Do not bargain for the health of the victims; if you leave them in our country, there is a risk that the death toll will rise. We lived through this 16 years ago, learn from the tragedies that preceded today's,” she wrote on her Facebook account. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences and announced the dispatch of federal support. Through her X account, the head of state informed that she had instructed the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, to send a support team to assist the families and the injured. She added that she maintains direct contact with Governor Durazo to coordinate assistance for the victims. In turn, Durazo Montaño posted a video in which he assured that a “thorough investigation” will be carried out to clarify the facts and determine responsibilities. “This is a sad day for Sonora, especially for the families who lost a loved one in downtown Hermosillo. I join with respect in the expressions of solidarity with them and with the entire community. The State Government will carry out all necessary actions to…” Additionally, he ordered “all state agencies” to provide “comprehensive support, medical and psychological care” to the victims' families. In solidarity with the victims, the Government of Sonora announced that, “out of respect and as a sign of mourning,” all cultural and tourist activities scheduled for this Sunday have been canceled.
