MONTERREY — 2011 · Major Tragedy
The Casino Royale Arson Attack
On the afternoon of 25 August 2011 gunmen arrived at the Casino Royale in Monterrey, stormed the main entrance firing at those inside, and set the building alight by pouring petrol at the entrances. Fifty-two people trapped inside died, most of them women. The attack, carried out by members of Los Zetas amid the violence that engulfed the city as the cartel fought the Gulf Cartel, was linked to unpaid extortion demands on the casino. Remembered as the bloodiest attack in the city's history, it led to numerous arrests, though the chain of responsibility and the casino's licensing remained contested.
- Date
- 2011
- Place
- Nuevo León, Mexico, Monterrey, MX
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- 25.6740, -100.3740 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 25 August 2011Gunmen set the casino on fire; 52 people died.
- 26 August 2011Police released sketches of the attackers.
- October 2011The alleged mastermind of the attack was arrested.
Sources
- BBC News — Monterrey shocked by casino attack bbc.co.uk ↗
- The Guardian — The Monterrey massacre: a new nadir in Mexico's drug war theguardian.com ↗
- CNN Español — Cae el presunto autor intelectual del ataque al Casino Royale cnnespanol.cnn.com ↗
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- CNN Español
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.