MEXICO CITY — The fire started at a discount store, trapping dozens of people, including families, who were shopping inside. On Saturday, authorities in the northern Mexican state of Sonora said the flames and smoke had killed at least 23 people.

The fire was in downtown Hermosillo, Sonora’s state capital. Alfonso Durazo, the state’s governor, confirmed the death toll in a video posted on social media. Among the victims, he said, were some minors. A dozen people had been injured and sent to hospitals, he added.

“No one will face this pain alone,” Durazo said, adding that he had instructed authorities to provide medical, psychological and other care to the families of the victims. He said he had also ordered a “thorough and transparent investigation” to find out what had caused the fire “and determine who is responsible.”

Officials said the fire happened at a branch of Waldo’s, one of the largest discount store chains in Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had instructed the deployment of support teams to the scene.

— The New York Times