A fire at a rehabilitation center in San Jose Iturbide, Guanajuato, claimed 12 lives and injured three others on Sunday, according to the state Attorney General's Office. The blaze marks another tragedy in a region grappling with security challenges and strained healthcare infrastructure.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene as thick smoke engulfed the facility, with preliminary investigations suggesting electrical faults as the potential cause. Authorities have launched a full probe into safety protocols at the center, which served individuals recovering from addiction.
Guanajuato – Mexico's industrial heartland – has faced increasing violence linked to organized crime in recent years. This incident raises new questions about public safety standards in vulnerable communities. Local officials have declared three days of mourning while families identify victims through forensic procedures.
This tragedy echoes a 2020 fire at a similar facility in neighboring Michoacán that killed 28 residents. Health advocates are calling for nationwide audits of rehabilitation centers, many of which operate with limited government oversight.
