Gunfire at Religious Festival in Mexico Leaves at Least 12 Dead

At least 12 people have been killed and around 20 others injured in a shooting during a religious festival in Mexico. The incident occurred in the state of Guanajuato.According to a report by Indian news outlet NDTV, citing the Associated Press, the shooting took place early Wednesday morning (local time) in the city of Irapuato during celebrations for Saint John the Baptist. More than a hundred people had gathered in the streets for dancing and music when gunmen suddenly opened fire.The festive atmosphere turned into chaos within moments. Terrified people ran in all directions, as seen in videos circulating on social media.Rodolfo Gómez Cervantes, a government official from Irapuato, confirmed at a press conference that the initial death toll was nine, later rising to twelve. Several of the injured are in critical condition.Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack, calling it a tragic event. “This is a sorrowful incident. We have launched an investigation and the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” she said.Just last month, seven people were killed in another shooting during a church event in San Bartolo de Berrios, also in Guanajuato.Guanajuato is known as one of the most violent regions in Mexico, plagued by ongoing turf wars between criminal gangs and drug cartels vying for control.In the first five months of this year alone, 1,435 homicides have been recorded in the state—more than double the number in most other Mexican states.