Dozens killed in Mexican casino fire attack
By the CNN Wire Staff
August 26, 2011 10:09 a.m. EDT
(CNN) -- At least 53 people were killed in a fiery attack at a casino in an upscale area of Monterrey, Mexico, government and emergency officials said.
Eight others were injured in the Thursday afternoon attack, the Red Cross said.
Witnesses have told investigators that up to six people entered the Casino Royale and asked for the manager, according Adrian de la Garza, the state attorney general for Nuevo Leon.
When the manager refused, they set the building on fire, he said.
It's believed a solvent was used to start the blaze, possibly gasoline, de la Garza said.
Earlier reports that a grenade attack caused the fire could not be verified, he said. An investigation is under way.
Between 20 and 30 people were trapped in the casino by debris, said Cmdr. Angel Flores with the Green Cross.
Video from the scene showed a burned-out building as firefighters made rescue attempts to break the wall of the facade of the casino to release the smoke inside the building.
Authorities suspended rescue efforts Thursday night for fear that the building could collapse.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon responded to the incident through his official Twitter account.
"With deep consternation, I express my solidarity with Nuevo Leon and the victims of this abhorrent act of terror and barbarism," he said. "These reprehensible acts require us all to persevere in the fight against gangs of unscrupulous criminals. All the support to NL."
Monterrey is the capital of Nuevo Leon.
Gustavo Madrazo was one of many waiting outside the casino for information from authorities. He said his wife, Martha, and her sister, Miriam Gonzalez, were inside.
The federal government has made contact with local officials and Calderon has spoken to the governor of Nuevo Leon to offer support, said Alejandro Poire, Mexico's top national security spokesman.
The National Commission on Human Rights in Mexico said it has opened an investigation regarding the response to the events at the casino.
"The priority is to help safeguard the human rights enshrined in the Constitution of the United Mexican States and international treaties," it said in a news release.
The agency said it has also sent personnel to the scene including physicians, psychologists and lawyers to work jointly with authorities.
Nuevo Leon, in northeastern Mexico, has been the scene of recent violence.
In July, gunmen entered a downtown bar in Monterrey and shot 20 people dead. A public safety spokesman told CNN the attack was likely sparked by a dispute between organized crime groups for control of the El Sabino Gordo nightclub, where drugs were allegedly sold.
Nuevo Leon and the neighboring states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas have been the scene of clashes between organized crime groups. The Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas are vying for control of trafficking routes into the United States.
In November 2010, the federal government launched the Coordinated Operation Northeast, which involves sending more security forces to the area to tackle crime.
