Explosion and Fire at Jose Cuervo Tequila Factory Result in Six Fatalities

A tragic incident at a tequila factory in Mexico has resulted in the deaths of at least six workers, local authorities announced.

The catastrophe occurred at a Casa Cuervo distillery located in the town of Tequila, Jalisco state, where two other individuals sustained injuries. Casa Cuervo, known as the largest global producer of tequila, manages renowned brands such as Jose Cuervo and Tequila 1800.

According to Jalisco’s civil protection agency, the disaster was triggered by the explosion of a tank car, which subsequently set ablaze three additional tank cars, each holding 219,000 liters of liquid.

The origin of the fire remains under investigation, officials stated. More than 40 firefighting and civil protection units were dispatched to manage the situation.

Casa Cuervo issued a statement confirming its cooperation with the ongoing investigation and its commitment to enhancing security measures at its sites.

Additionally, the state’s Civil Protection agency reported a secondary fire at the facility on Wednesday morning, which started in a storage area containing cardboard and other materials. This fire was quickly extinguished, posing no further threat.

Tequila’s mayor, Alfonso Magallanes, advised residents via a Facebook post to steer clear of the factory due to the ongoing emergency.

Image credit: Civil Protection Jalisco