A second “unusual” solar flare has killed at least four people in New Mexico, officials said Wednesday, adding the death toll was expected to rise.
The incident occurred near the town of Laughlin in northern New Mexico early Monday, and officials are investigating why it occurred.
Authorities initially reported three deaths and said the deaths were the result of “unknown causes.”
However, the state Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol confirmed the death as a natural disaster.
“This was an extremely unusual event and we do not have any cause for alarm,” New Mexico Gov.
Susana Martinez said in a statement.
“I ask for the public’s patience while we work to understand what happened and identify the people involved.”
Martinez said the governor has directed federal agencies to work with state officials to provide information about the event.
In addition to the three deaths, two people were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and one person was treated for non-life-threatening burns, the governor’s office said.
The U.N. agency said the flare occurred at a location that is not normally used by people in the area.
