Five Killed in Explosion Outside Police Station in Mexico

Five people are dead, and five others remain hospitalised after a powerful explosion outside a police station in western Mexico. The blast happened at midday on Saturday in Coahuayana, a coastal town in Michoacán where the government recently stepped up efforts to curb ongoing violence.

Authorities say the explosion came from a pickup truck parked near the station. Two people, including the driver of the truck, were killed instantly. Eight others, all members of the community police force, were rushed to hospitals, and three later died.

Héctor Zepeda, commander of the community police, described the blast as so strong that human remains were scattered across the area.

Criminal groups in the region have often used explosives dropped from drones or hidden along roads, but rarely inside vehicles.

Even so, rival cartels continue to fight for control of territory in Michoacán, which serves as a key route for chemicals used to make synthetic drugs.

At least three of the six drug cartels designated as terrorist organisations by the Trump administration operate in that region.