A mother of three who shielded her daughter with her own body during an LPG tanker explosion has died after spending a week in hospital with severe burns.
Viviana Aguilar Zendejas was in a car with her daughter Isabella when the explosion occurred in Cuernavaca, Mexico, on 6 August.
According to Isabella’s account, her mother told her to hold her breath when gas entered the vehicle before taking her in her arms and carrying her out of the car.
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As the gas ignited, Viviana, 31, used her own body to shield Isabella from the flames.
The six-year-old suffered burns to around four per cent of her body, as reported by Need To Know.
After receiving treatment at a local hospital, Isabella was discharged to recover at home.
Viviana, however, suffered second- and third-degree burns covering more than half of her body.
She was initially treated locally before being intubated and transferred to Mexico City for specialist treatment due to the severity of her injuries.
She eventually died in intensive care on Thursday (13 August), becoming the first fatality linked to the explosion.
According to reports following the accident, more than 20 people were injured, with some, including children, requiring hospital treatment in Mexico and the US.
Dozens of homes and vehicles were also damaged.
Investigators are now working to establish exactly what caused the tanker, which belonged to Tomza Gas Titanium S.A. de C.V., to explode in the street.
The investigation will also determine the extent of the damage and establish liability.
Viviana leaves behind three children.
The Morelos State Attorney General’s Office has said the case will be reclassified following her death.
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