Report: Woman survives live grenade in face

Karla Flores

/ El Universal TV/YouTube

Mexican seafood vendor Karla Flores is being called the "Miracle Woman."

Why?

She survived having a live grenade lodged in her face.

One day relatively recently in her home state of Sinaloa, the mother of three was peacefully plying her business on the street when she heard an explosion and was knocked to the ground, Gizmodo reports.

Flores felt a burning sensation, saw blood after she touched her face, and then the next thing she remembered was waking up in the hospital, The Daily Mail reports.

At first, Flores thought a rock hit her, and doctors couldn't figure out what the large, round object stuck between her jaw and the roof of her mouth was, the Mail reports.

Karla Flores

/ El Universal TV/YouTube

After medical imaging, they realized it was an unexploded grenade. If it went off, anyone within a 32-foot radius was likely to die. Flores was isolated immediately.

It is believed that the grenade was fired with a grenade launcher, hence the explosion Flores heard, Gizmodo reports. Why it didn't go off - and why Flores was targeted - is still a mystery.

At first, no one wanted to go near Flores to remove the grenade, but eventually four brave people - two anesthesiologists, a doctor, and a nurse - went with Flores and two explosives experts from the Mexican Army's to a far-removed open field to dislodge the grenade, the Mail reports.

Using only local anesthesia, the unprotected medical team gave Flores a tracheotomy so she could breath, and removed the grenade without it going off.

She lost half her teeth, the Mail reports, and video of Flores shows her with a large scar on the right side of her face, but she didn't die.

Watch El Universal TV's Spanish-language report on Karla Flores (Warning: Graphic Images)

[Wheresmynurse]

That's a "DUD", not a "live grenade". Jeeze.

[tracker117]

I can see that you never worked with or have been around grenades because if you were around them you would know that if you were close enough to hear the report of the launcher which is not very loud the grenade did not have enough time to arm. so the grenade would still be live and not a DUD

[jeff98765432]

I'm also happy you survived and hats off to the brave people who stepped up to help. i'm humbled and reminded of how easy my life is, i want to continue to try to contribute to something positive.

I'm reminded of this quote,

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving."

Albert Einstein

[rontherope]

I 'm glad your a live. If they havn't cought these cowards that did this to you I hope they do soon.. Keep the faith

[rwsmith29456]

How bizarre. But thanks to the people who helped her.

[sdcowgirl]

Unbelievable. 4 brave souls stepped up and helped this poor woman. God bless these medical heros.