Deadly gas tank explosion collapses a maternity and children's hospital in Mexico City

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(Image credit: Twitter/AdrianRubalcava)

On Thursday, a gas tank truck, reportedly connected to the hospital kitchen, exploded due to a leak in the hose. The blast collapsed 30 percent of the building, injuring at least 54 people, including 22 children, and trapping others inside, ABC News reports. The Mexico City Mayor says at least 7 are dead.

Residents in the densely packed, lower-middle class neighborhood reported hearing the blast and seeing a plume of smoke and fire. People reportedly ran into the building to help save at least 8 babies from the nursery. The hospital is dedicated to maternity and child care. —Lauren Hansen

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Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.