MEXICO CITY – At least 27 people have died in an explosion at a fireworks market outside the Mexican capital, according to a local emergency services official.

The blast at the San Pablito fireworks market in Tultepec, about 32 km north of Mexico City, also injured at least 70 others, according to a tweet from federal police.

Isidro Sanchez, the head of Tultepec emergency services, said the death toll was preliminary as rescue workers scoured the site.

Local television showed a flurry of multi-coloured fireworks exploding in all directions as a massive plume of smoke rose above the market while people frantically fled.

Aerial footage showed charred stalls and destroyed buildings.

A blast struck the popular market in September 2005 just before independence day celebrations, injuring many people.

– Reuters