Four people are dead and nearly 40 others were hospitalized after reportedly drinking contaminated tequila at a teen girl’s birthday celebration in Mexico.
The tragedy unfolded after a quinceañera, a traditional Latin American celebration for a girl’s 15th birthday, was held over the weekend at an event venue in Salamanca, Guanajuato.
Local outlet AM reported that several of the victims were relatives of the birthday girl, identified only as Jazmín.
Those who died included Jazmín’s father, José Antonio Cárdenas, 39, her uncle, Martín Robles, 28, and two other guests, Sanjuana González, 36, and José Guadalupe Ramblás, 33.
According to reports, many relatives initially believed the guests were simply dealing with hangovers the next day. But the situation turned horrifying when some of them became unresponsive and never woke up.
Narciso López, Ramblás’ grandfather, said his grandson died after the celebration. He also said another grandson was poisoned by the alcohol but was recovering.
“They tell me my grandson was asleep and stayed that way all Sunday, until they saw he wasn’t waking up,” López told Periódico Correo. “They took him to the hospital and they tell me he’s dead.”
López said the family wants answers.
“Justice must be served,” he said.
Friends of González said they became worried when she failed to show up for work after the party. She reportedly sold tamales and was known for arriving early.
“She always went to work early in Puerto de Valle, but on Monday she didn’t show up to sell, and then we found out about this,” one friend told AM. “We want to know what happened.”
Around 28 people who became sick after the celebration were treated at the Hospital de la Gente in Salamanca, according to reports.
Eight more victims were treated at the Mexican Social Security Institute, while two others were taken to another Hospital de la Gente facility.
As of Tuesday, June 9, six patients remained hospitalized.
Authorities are now trying to trace where the tequila came from and determine how it became contaminated.
Sources told AM that the Guanajuato State Attorney General’s Office is expected to continue the investigation into the deadly poisoning.
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