In yet another possible example of corruption at the highest levels of local authority, officials in civil service and police have been suspended as a result of the recent death of 12 in a Mexico City dance-club.
As victims' families and the mostly working-class community of
Nueva Atzacoalco, Mexico City mourn the death of their loved ones, Mayor Marcelo Ebrard holds various officials to task.
The deaths were the result of a stampede at the local club on Friday, June 20th—prompted by the announcement of the club's owner that "police were in the building" for the purpose of apprehending underage patrons and seeking evidence of drug use. Only one viable exit from the building forced over 500 patrons – many who
were underage and known to be so – to exit in a rush of panic. Police Chief Ortega denied claims that the use of tear-gas had contributed to the mayhem, instead
changing the focus of responsibility to the owner:
" ... the club had been closed in 2007 because of safety and other rule violations, but the owner had got the ruling overturned."
Mayor Ebrard went on further to assure that "there were serious errors" and "all of the public servants directly involved" had been suspended; 39 people, including the club owner, were arrested. The reporting by the CBC was not able to confirm whether any of the officials were expected to be charged in this senseless act of violence.
