Terrible Fireworks Tragedy In Mexico...

[Lord Jim]

I'm sure that high safety standards were rigorously enforced:

Mexico explosion: 32 dead at fireworks market as search teams comb rubble



Tultepec, Mexico (CNN)This market has become a graveyard.
A day ago, families wandered through rows of stalls at San Pablito, searching for fireworks to launch during the holiday season.

Now, forensic teams are combing through the charred rubble, searching for victims' remains.

At least 32 people were killed and dozens more were injured in a massive series of explosions Tuesday at this market north of Mexico City, officials said.

The deadly blasts sent huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and shook the ground in neighboring towns.

The San Pablito market is in Tultepec, a city about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Mexico City that bills itself as the country's fireworks capital. [Another report I read said there were approximately 100 tons of fireworks at the market]

An explosion at the same fireworks market in 2005 injured a large number of people and caused enormous damage. Another fire tore through part of the market in 2006. Since then, officials have touted security improvements at the market and described it as a much safer place to buy and sell pyrotechnics than the clandestine workshops in some local homes. [Yeah, how'd that work out for you? ]

After the 2005 blast, officials separated stalls at the market in an effort to prevent fires from spreading. Local government officials last week described it as "the safest market in Latin America." In a statement, Mexican Pyrotechnics Institute Director Juan Ignacio Rodarte Cordero said the market had "perfectly designed stalls with enough space so that there is no chain reaction fire in case of a spark."

Authorities haven't said what caused Tuesday's explosions. Out of the market's roughly 300 stalls, about 10 buildings are still standing.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/21/americas/ ... explosion/

Here's an aerial view of the market:



Yeah, it's virtually impossible to imagine how a fire that broke out in one of those fireworks-packed stalls could ever spread to any of the other locations...

[rubato]

Not enough government regulation? Looks like the Mexicano version of the NRA is in charge.



yrs,
rubato

[dales]

What does the NRA have to do with fireworks in Mexico or the US?

Another hopelessly stupid comment from the misanthrope in Sta. Cruz.

eta: Private ownership of firearms is illegal in Mexico.

[Lord Jim]

It's Ronald Reagan's fault.

[Econoline]

If this had happened somewhere in Europe, I'm sure our President-elect would have insisted that it was "Islamic terrorism" (especially since there were several times as many casualties as there were from the truck attack in Germany).




ETA: I took rube's comment about the NRA to imply "an organization that puts personal freedom above public safety."

[Lord Jim]

ETA: I took rube's comment about the NRA to imply "an organization that puts personal freedom above public safety."

That's funny, I took what he said to mean that he didn't know WTF he was talking about, (as per usual) since based on the available information we have no idea if the regulations were insufficient, or if the existing regulations weren't properly enforced. (as was the case in the Oakland "Ghost Ship" fire)

Based on what is currently known, it is at least as likely that incompetence and/or corruption on the part of the relevant government officials is to blame, as the written regulations themselves. (And given the record in Mexico on this in other areas...like enforcement of building codes regarding earth quake standards... I would argue that's the more likely explanation.)

And even if one were to assume that the regulations were inadequate, perhaps rube could give us the name of the powerful private Mexican pro-fireworks lobbying organization responsible for it, so his analogy might make some remote sort of sense...(As opposed to them being inadequate because of sheer governmental incompetence; the Mexican Pyrotechnics Institute is a government agency.)

Rube might have thought of these possibilities before making his completely unsupported ideology-driven response, but then what can one expect from a man who doesn't know his dick from his balls...

[MGMcAnick]

eta: Private ownership of firearms is illegal in Mexico.

According to my friend who lives about 15 miles from the fireworks site, some private ownership of "sporting guns" is allowed, but permits are difficult and expensive to get. I guess you have to bribe the correct official.

It's a good example of the "if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns" maxim.

[rubato]

Lack of regulation takes different forms.

Some places have no rules, some places don't enforce rules; Mexico is Republican/Libertarian paradise!

If you have money, no regulations!


Yes,
Rubato

[Gob]

More bullshit from Asperger's boy, bordering on his usual racism.