A Canadian tourist has been killed and at least four others injured following a shooting at the Teotihuacán pyramids, a renowned archaeological site near Mexico City. The incident occurred on Monday during lunchtime and was captured on mobile phone videos by visitors to the site.

Witness Accounts Describe Chaos at the Scene

One witness. Laura Torres. Told the newspaper La Jornada she heard more than 20 shots coming from the Pyramid of the Moon, the second largest in the ancient complex of constructions. “First it was sporadic. Then one shot after another. Then sporadic again. ” said Torres. Who believed the alleged shooter – who authorities said took his own life – had used a handgun.

Mexican media reports identified the fatal victim as a 32-year-old female from Canada. The shooting has raised concerns as Mexico prepares to co-host the football World Cup in June, an event that will see the country host 13 games, including its opening match.

Government Response and International Outreach

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed “deep pain” over the attack on the Unesco world heritage site, which follows a high-profile explosion of violence in February after the killing of a top narco boss known as “El Mencho” near the city of Guadalajara.

“I express my most sincere solidarity with the affected individuals and their families,” Sheinbaum wrote on social media, calling for a thorough investigation. The British embassy in Mexico City urged UK citizens to follow instructions from local authorities if they were in the area where the shooting took place.

Mexican authorities reported that four people – citizens of Colombia, Russia and Canada – sustained gunshot wounds in the shooting. Another victim suffered a broken bone, seemingly after falling while on the 43-metre-tall pyramid. Mexico’s foreign ministry said it was in permanent contact with the Canadian embassy in Mexico “and other embassies of affected individuals to provide timely follow-up on these events”.

Security Concerns Amid Upcoming World Cup

The shooting at the world-famous archaeological site made front-page headlines and caused widespread shock in Mexico, where authorities are gearing up to host 13 games in the World Cup, including its opening match. Concerns over Mexico’s security situation grew after a wave of coordinated cartel attacks followed the killing of El Mencho in February, although that violence was quickly contained.

The Teotihuacán complex is one of Mexico’s most visited destinations, drawing close to 2 million tourists each year. The incident has added to the challenges of ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors as the country prepares to host international events.

Details about the motive behind the shooting remain unclear, and local authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident. The gunman is believed to have taken his own life after the attack.

As the World Cup approaches, the incident has raised questions about the security measures in place for major events in Mexico. The country has faced increasing pressure to ensure that its international visitors feel safe and secure.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates on the investigation in the coming days, while the Canadian embassy continues to coordinate with Mexican officials to support the affected individuals and their families.

The incident has also prompted discussions about the safety of popular tourist sites in Mexico, with calls for increased security measures at locations that attract large numbers of visitors.