Steel plant explosion in central Mexico kills at least 12 people

TLAXCALA, Mexico (Reuters) -An explosion at a steel plant in Mexico’s central Tlaxcala state owned by Simec killed at least 12 people, state authorities said on Wednesday.

The blast was likely caused after smelting apparatus collapsed, the state civil protection office said in a social media post.

Those killed were workers at the plant, the state prosecutor’s office told Reuters. One person is hospitalized in critical condition, the office added.

Authorities say they are investigating what caused the incident. However, molten steel, when it comes into contact with water, causes an explosion.

Simec did not immediately respond to a request for comment.