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Explosion At Júarez Candy Factory Ruled Accidental
Mónica Ortiz Uribe
A candy wrapper pokes out from beneath the rubble of an explosion that happened in October at a factory in Ciudad Juárez.
Mexican authorities have ruled that a deadly explosion at a candy factory in Ciudad Juárez two months ago was accidental.
Just before lunchtime on Oct. 24 a powerful explosion rocked the Blueberry candy factory in Ciudad Juárez. One person died in the immediate aftermath and later another seven died in the hospital. Twenty-one people were injured, some with severe burns.
The explosion was the result of a chemical reaction involving corn starch and oxygen, according to a report issued this weekend by the Chihuahua State Attorney General's office. Corn starch is a primary ingredient in the candy-making process.
The Secretary of Labor is still looking into potential safety violations by the factory, which has stopped production for the time being. The candies manufactured in the plant were sold in the United States.