Accident kills 11 pilgrims in central Mexico
MEXICOCITY — Eleven Catholic pilgrims died in a traffic accident on Tuesday as they were returning from one of the world’s largest annual Catholic celebrations dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Mexico City.
A truck transporting the pilgrims collided with another vehicle, which hit it from the back on a road linking the capital with the city of Puebla in central Mexico early Tuesday.
Eight of the victims died immediately, the three others in hospital. Thirteen people were reported to have been injured.
Maritime disaster probe
A ship captain’s unwillingness to listen to his crew’s suggestions to change course from the path of a raging hurricane. A weak corporate safety culture that left crewmembers ill-prepared to deal with heavy weather. An old ship with outdated lifeboats, open to the elements.
All these factors contributed to the sinking of the El Faro in the fury of Hurricane Joaquin on Oct. 1, 2015, which killed all 33 people on board, the National Transportation Safety Board announced on Tuesday. The report concludes a 2-year investigation into the worst U.S. maritime disaster in modern history.
The NTSB issued 53 safety recommendations along with its findings, which investigators hope will be adopted by the industry, maritime safety inspectors and weather forecasters to make the seas safer for future generations.
Condom ad restrictions
NEWDELHI — The steamy ads featuring a former porn star were apparently the last straw.
For months, conservative groups in India have been complaining about condom manufacturers’ risque ads. One of the most titillating features Sunny Leone, a former actress in X-rated videos, undressing piece by piece.
So India’s government stepped in this week, declaring condom commercials “indecent” viewing for children and restricting them to the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., when relatively few people watch television.
Gas explosion kills one
An enormous explosion rocked a major natural gas hub in Austria on Tuesday, killing an employee, injuring at least 18 people and raising concerns about tightening supplies across Europe.
Firefighters and emergency workers rushed to the natural gas hub in Baumgarten, about 45 miles south of Vienna, after the blast occurred just before 9 a.m. An order to evacuate the site was issued.