Mexico City propane tanker explosion death toll rises to 15

The death toll from a tanker truck explosion on a major Mexico City highway last week has risen to 15, city health authorities said Monday.

Mexico City health officials posted on X that a 40-year-old man who had been hospitalized died from his injuries, and later issued a statement saying a 15th victim, not yet identified, had also died. Thirty-nine people remained hospitalized following the blast.

The explosion occurred last Wednesday when a trailer carrying propane overturned and its tank ruptured after striking an object, investigators said. The subsequent blaze engulfed more than two dozen vehicles and left dozens of people with severe burns, city officials said.

Authorities have not publicly identified the driver or released details about the object the truck struck. Investigators are examining whether the tanker was traveling at excessive speed and whether the driver had received adequate training to handle a vehicle transporting hazardous material.

Emergency services responded to the scene to extinguish the fire and to transport the injured to hospitals across the city. Local health officials have been monitoring burn units and coordinating care for those with serious injuries, while advising the public to avoid the area during the investigation and cleanup.

Tanker and hazardous-material incidents pose recurrent challenges for Mexican authorities, who must balance commerce on busy routes with safety regulations for transporting flammable gases. City investigators will analyze maintenance records, cargo manifests and any available video and witness accounts as part of the probe, officials said.

The mayor's office and federal transport authorities have not yet released a consolidated report on the causes of the collision and rupture. Officials said they will share further findings as the probe progresses and as hospitals update casualty figures.

Families of victims and local residents remained affected by the incident. Hospital updates and official statements are expected in the coming days as authorities continue medical care and determine the full sequence of events that led to the rollover, tank failure and large-scale fire.

The investigation will determine whether criminal charges or regulatory actions are warranted and what steps can be taken to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future, city officials said.