MEXICO. - At least 18 dead and 36 people were injured today in an explosion caused by a tanker loaded with gas in the municipality of Ecatepec in central Mexico.

The mayor of Ecatepec, Pablo Bedolla, initially reported a toll of three dead and 15 wounded at the scene.

There are also reports that 15 vehicles were damaged along with 20 homes.

Soldiers from the Mexican Army, municipal police and rescue teams immediately responded to the site to help those who were affected by this explosion of great magnitude.

Apparently a commercial truck from the Aztek Company that was loaded with gas collided with another vehicle in the area and exploded, which resulted in "an explosion strong enough" that "rocked several blocks" in the area, said Bedolla told Milenio Television.

Supposedly the cause of the explosion could be a "car accident" between the tanker truck and a tractor-trailer that circulate through the area.

The mayor of Ecatepec called for everyone to be "calm" and asked for motorists avoid the area for now.

The explosion occurred near a school where "fortunately no kids were present at the time of the incident," added the Mayor.

Located in the northeast part of Mexico, Ecatepec is a municipality of 1.9 million people located in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. It is a busy area where motorists travel through on their way to and from Pachuca, the state capital of Hidalgo.

Editorial@Sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@Sandiegored.com