A HORROE discovery was made after rescue teams found six bodies at the José Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Mexico, following an explosion and subsequent fire.
The explosion, which also injured two other workers, occurred on Tuesday as employees were conducting maintenance work, according to the company.
Moments before a fire at a José Cuervo tequila distillery in Tequila, Mexico broke outCredit: Twitter/X/ Monica Garza @monicagarzag
The fire took over 50 firefighters to put out and claimed six livesCredit: Twitter/X/ Monica Garza @monicagarzag
Authorities originally believed that the situation was under control on Tuesday night, after over 50 firefighters put out the fire that evening at the company’s La Rojena plant, the oldest active distillery in Latin America.
However, come Wednesday morning, another fire broke out, this time in a storage area containing cardboard and other easily flammable materials.
The incident involved the explosion of a tank car, with the fire then igniting three other vats of tequila, each with a capacity of more than 200,000 liters, according to The New York Post.
Authorities in Jalisco, Mexico originally confirmed five deaths in the fire.
But as officials were cleaning up the debris near the burnt containers, a sixth body was found Wednesday morning
The municipalities local civil defense announced the discovery of the latest victim via X.
They stated that the bodies were found in a waste area where large containers had collapsed.
The distillery is owned by the JosĂ© Cuervo company, one of Mexicoâs most renowned tequila brands.
But the explosion and fire have now cast a shadow over the town of Tequila, located approximately 375 miles northwest of Mexico City.
Overlooked by a volcano and surrounded by agave plantations, the townâs economy is deeply intertwined with tequila production.
The plant brings life to the city of 40,000 residents, employing many residents, and revolving around tequila production and the tourism it generates.
Monica Garza, an independent reporter, initially broke the news about the explosion at the José Cuervo manufacturing plant, noting the preliminary death toll and injuries.
“Until now and unofficially, there are two people who have lost their lives and at least five others with injuries,” Garza reported earlier before six people were confirmed dead.
The municipality of Tequila, home to about 40,000 residents, is now experiencing significant setbacks as a result of this tragedy.
The local community is heavily reliant on the distillery for employment and economic stability.
Now in the aftermath of the explosion, many are wondering how they will grapple with what is to come for the jobs and the local economy.
Police and company officials are continuing their investigations to determine the cause of the explosion.
Other questions remain as well, such as whether the fire and subsequent explosions were intentional.
An assessment of the full extent of the damage is needed as well.
Meanwhile, the priority remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring the safety of the remaining workers at the site.
José Cuervo has not yet released a detailed statement regarding the incident.
However, the company has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and announced they’re committed to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
