04-11-2004, 06:54 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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don't ignore this-->
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just to include the article for the link-challenged:
Quote:
APRIL 10, 2004 - An explosion ripped through a restaurant located two blocks from the Progreso International Bridge Saturday morning, killing at least eight people and injuring several more, Mexico police said.
A propane tank at the Red Snapper restaurant exploded about 8:30 a.m. The three-story cement building, as well as a neighboring pharmacy and souvenir shop, were demolished in the blast, and windows up and down the street were shattered.
All of those killed were Mexican citizens, Mexican police officer Raul Herrera Soto said. Four injured people were hospitalized in Reynosa. Their conditions were not immediately available.
One patient was transported to Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco.
The restaurant was not open but employees were in the building when the explosion happened, said George Garrett of the Weslaco emergency management team. The propane tank was on the second floor of the restaurant, he said.
It was unclear how many people were trapped in the rubble.
A four-city block area was cordoned off by authorities, and the McAllen Fire Department used four rescue dogs and special thermal imaging equipment to search for survivors.
"It's kind of like a puzzle," said Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia, who was helping coordinate U.S. emergency crews. "We need to be careful otherwise we're going to be hurting people who are trapped inside."
Hidalgo County officials brought in cranes to lift and remove the rubble. The city of Weslaco also put its emergency response group into action to help Mexican officers.
The bridge from Mexico to Progreso, was closed because of the explosion, though rescue workers from the United States were being allowed to enter Mexico.
The city is a popular destination for tourists from throughout the Valley who flock to the area's restaurants, bars and pharmacies in search of discounted medications.
Witnesses said the ground shook and a thick cloud of dust filled the air.
"It was a loud boom and we heard the echos. It kept echoing," said Jose Ramirez, who owns a fabric shop across the street and heard the explosion from his home four blocks away.
Crowds still were sparse at the time, said Rio Bravo police spokesman Enrique Hernandez.
"Normally there's a big flow of people," Hernandez said. "Maybe that's why more people were not injured. We hope we don't locate any more bodies."
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...tragic 
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