Celaya commemorates 27 years since “Domingo Negro” fireworks disaster

The community of Celaya, Mexico, is commemorating the 27th anniversary of the “Domingo Negro” (Black Sunday) tragedy. On September 26, 1999, a massive explosion occurred at a pyrotechnics warehouse in the Central de Abastos, resulting in 72 deaths and approximately 350 injuries.

The disaster was triggered by two successive explosions on Antonio Plaza Street. The first was reportedly caused by sunlight acting through a glass display, which then led to a second, more devastating blast that demolished nearby businesses and caused widespread casualties.

Survivors and families of the victims recently gathered at the La Resurrección parish for religious services to honor the deceased and seek collective memory. While legal proceedings resulted in the conviction of Angélica Vargas Bocanegra, owner of Abarrotera Celaya, who served over 10 years in prison, victims' families noted that no formal reparations for damages were ever provided after legal avenues were exhausted.