An explosion occurred on the Mexico-Pachuca federal highway, specifically at kilometer marker 39+500, in the vicinity of the Haciendas del Bosque residential subdivision in the municipality of Tecámac, State of Mexico.
What was initially reported as a traffic accident was ultimately confirmed to be the detonation of an explosive device inside a pickup truck, leaving a death toll of two men—one of whom was a criminal operative from Sinaloa.
The victims, who were traveling in a black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, were identified as 50-year-old Francisco Beltrán—known as “El Payín”—and 31-year-old Humberto Rangel Muñoz; both were natives of Sinaloa. According to initial intelligence reports, “El Payín” had arrived just moments earlier at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in Zumpango, where he was picked up by his companion to begin the journey that would end in tragedy.
According to preliminary investigations, while the vehicle was traveling in the direction of Pachuca, an explosive device—which was allegedly being transported inside the vehicle—detonated suddenly.
The force of the explosion was so intense that the pickup truck careened out of control for several meters, crossed into the oncoming lane, and ultimately crashed into the concrete barrier.
Videos captured by security cameras and passing motorists, showing the exact moment of the blast, circulated widely on social media. Eyewitnesses described a deafening roar followed by a fireball that engulfed the vehicle’s cabin in a matter of seconds, sparking panic among drivers traveling along this major thoroughfare.
Emergency services and agents from the State of Mexico Attorney General’s Office (FGJEM) arrived at the scene; they confirmed that the bodies bore injuries consistent with an internal explosion, rather than merely those resulting from a vehicular collision. Explosives experts are working at the scene to determine the type of substance or mechanism that triggered the blast, as well as to ascertain whether the device was detonated remotely or due to a handling error.
The area remained cordoned off for several hours, severely disrupting traffic while the recovery of debris and the removal of the damaged vehicle were underway. To date, no state or federal authority has issued an official statement regarding the activities that “El Payín” and his companion intended to carry out in the State of Mexico following their arrival at AIFA.
