Mexico fireworks explosion kills at least 12

At least 12 people were killed, including five children, and 30 were injured in an explosion at a house where fireworks were stored in Mexico, authorities said on Tuesday.

The blast happened on Monday evening in a rural area of central Puebla state during preparations for a local festival next week, according to Diodoro Carrasco, a state government senior official in Puebla state.

The area is located around 200 km south-east of Mexico City.

Dozens of people were preparing for the annual feast of their patron saint on 15 May when the explosion was triggered.

"A group of people lived in the house where the pyrotechnic material was stored for use in the festivities. A firework launched by someone outside (the house) fell on top of the fireworks, causing the explosion that knocked down the home," the government of Puebla said in a statement.

Nine people were killed on the spot and three more died after being taken to nearby hospitals.

The news comes just five months after more than 30 people were killed and 70 injured by a similar explosion in a fireworks market at the northern edge of Mexico City.