On September 26, 1999, a stockpile of illegally stored fireworks and gunpowder exploded in the Mexican city of Celaya, killing 63 people and wounding 348 others.
[3] 52 people were initially killed in the explosions,[2] with eleven more later dying in hospitals.
[2] Following the explosions, Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo announced that the government would conduct an investigation into the disaster.
[3] Authorities later arrested five business inspectors accused of illegally issuing permits, an agent of the attorney general's office accused of abuse of authority by failing to report the illegal trade, and seven business owners accused of illegally possessing and selling fireworks.
[1] Charges of being accessories to homicide were also brought against the inspectors and one of the business owners[1]