A mass has been held for victims of the fire which swept through a children’s daycare centre in the Mexican city of Hermosillo on Friday. The government announced the deaths of forty two children in the incident, most of whom were under two years old. Around 140 children are thought to have been asleep when the fire took hold.

Daniel Karam, director of Mexico’s Social Security Institute, reported that thirty three more people remain in hospital, receiving treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.The children’s centre was located next to a tyre depot, a clear fire hazard which has led to calls for investigations and explanations.

The Mexican National Commission of Human Rights (CNDH) will make investigations into the responsibility held by state and municipal authorities for the tragedy, according to EFE news agency. Karam said that the centre passed a safety inspection two weeks ago. The CNDH stated today: “All organisations and federal bodies which have childcare services must immediately determine the risks in their facilities.”

The organisation asserted that it the rest of its investigation would remain confidential until such a time as a public declaration can be made on its outcome.

President Felipe Calderon called the fire “a painful tragedy for all Mexicans”. He announced that he had “ordered the federal prosecutor to carry out investigations as soon as possible to help us know exactly what happened and how and to determine the corresponding responsibility”.

According to local media reports quoted by the BBC, the centre had only one working exit.