Mexican Casino Attack

August 26th, 2011

The Casino Royale in Monterrey, Mexico was attacked by two dozen gunmen on Thursday. The burst into the casino with gasoline and doused the facility extensively before lighting it on fire. The actions trapped many, killed forty and injured countless more.
The fire comes as the city has seen a significant rise in drug cartel related actions. The attack on the Casino Royale represents the largest single example of cartel violence and death in the entertainment destination since 2006. This has caused outrage among the people of Monterrey and beyond. The President has referenced this act of terror and barbarism as a reason to preserver against them. By many others, it is being called “an unspeakable act of terror.”
It is believed that the gunmen intended to rob the casino prior to burning it to the ground. This is standard cartel tactics in the area as a means of extortion. According to sources involved with the event, the gunmen did order the people out of the building; however some of the more terrified sought refuge further inside the building and were thereby killed in the fire. Backhoes were commandeered from nearby constructions sites to break down the casino walls to get to those survivors trapped inside. The effort to recover bodies continues.
This event has triggered many fears and a resounding cry from the local authorities, to see the end of the drug cartel violence. It is a stated goal they will be able to make Monterrey a safe tourist and gaming location by standing firm against this sort of terrorist attack.