A catastrophic explosion rocked the José Cuervo tequila factory in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico on July 23, 2024, around 4:30 pm, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Reports on the number of casualties vary, with sources citing between 2 to 5 deaths and up to 20 people injured. The blast occurred at the company’s La Rojeña factory, one of the oldest and most famous tequila distilleries in the world.According to Víctor Hugo Roldán, director of Jalisco’s Civil Protection, the explosion was likely caused by a malfunction in a heat operation, possibly involving a boiler or still. The incident affected three large containers, each holding approximately 219,000 liters of used alcohol for tequila production. The explosion caused significant damage to the factory and surrounding areas, including a nearby hotel, and disrupted the local electricity supply.In response to the disaster, authorities evacuated around 100 people from the vicinity, including residents and tourists. Emergency services, including firefighters, Civil Protection, the National Guard, and the Mexican Army, were deployed to the scene to control the fire, cool the tanks, and prevent further incidents.The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over the town of Tequila, known for producing the majority of tequila sold in Mexico and worldwide. As a result, all planned activities related to the International Tequila Day, scheduled for July 24, have been cancelled in Jalisco. The local parish has also suspended masses and a planned triduum for the festivities of Santo Santiago on July 25.José Cuervo, the company owning the affected factory, stated that the explosion was controlled and extinguished under strict safety protocols. However, the incident has raised questions about safety measures in tequila production facilities. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and any potential responsibilities.
Key points
- An explosion at the José Cuervo tequila factory in Tequila, Jalisco, resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.
- The blast was likely caused by a malfunction in a heat operation, affecting large containers of alcohol used for tequila production.
- Approximately 100 people were evacuated from the surrounding area, and emergency services were deployed to control the situation.
- The incident led to the cancellation of International Tequila Day celebrations and other local festivities.
Contradictions👾There are discrepancies in the reported number of fatalities, ranging from 2 to 5.
👾Some sources report up to 20 injuries, while others mention only one or two injured individuals.
