On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 23, a severe explosion rocked the José Cuervo distillery in Tequila Jalisco, Mexico. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of at least six people and injuries to another five. Emergency services, including the Army and Civil Protection units, were quickly dispatched to manage the situation and contain a gas leak that had ensued following the explosion.
Origin of the Explosion
Civil Protection in Jalisco confirmed that the blast originated from a boiler at the José Cuervo facility and spread to four large containers, each holding 319,000 liters of fluid; two of which collapsed under the force. Efforts were coordinated with firefighters to minimize further risks and locate those reported missing.
Local Authorities’ Response
The mayor of Tequila, José Alfonso Magallanes, urged locals to stay away from the affected area due to the potential gas leak.
He also made a special plea to tourists to avoid the region, which is popular for its tequila production tours. In addition to the explosion, the incident caused a distillation unit filled with alcohol to fall, exacerbating the emergency response challenges. A TV network reported damage to electrical wiring and other infrastructure as well.
Initially, Civil Protection of Jalisco reported two fatalities, but later, José Cuervo revised the death toll to five.
In an official statement, Casa Cuervo expressed its condolences and reiterated its commitment to the safety of its workers, neighbors, and visitors.
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On July 24, the State Unit of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Jalisco updated the death toll to six, following the discovery of another victim during debris removal and cooling operations.
This morning, a new fire broke out in a storage area containing cardboard and other materials, reaching a 200-liter drum filled with raw material residues. This has added to the challenges faced by emergency crews working on the site.
Viral Explosion Video at Casa José Cuervo Tequila
A video capturing the exact moment of the explosion has gone viral on social media, showing a tequila tank being propelled into the air, which starkly illustrated the severity of the explosion.
The community, emergency services, and Casa Cuervo continue to handle the aftermath of this devastating event as investigations into the exact causes of the explosion are ongoing.
🚨 El momento de la explosión en la planta de José Cuervo, en #Tequila, #Jalisco
Reportan 4 muertos y más de 20 heridos. pic.twitter.com/JXgl5L7LKr
— Manuel Lopez San Martin (@MLopezSanMartin) July 24, 2024
