Earthquake hits Mexico
At least 226 people are believed dead after a powerful earthquake hit Mexico on the anniversary of a 1985 quake that killed thousands. High-rise buildings collapsed in plumes of dust as thousands fled into the streets in panic. The 7.1-magnitude shock centred in Raboso, about 123km southeast of Mexico City.
AT least 226 people are believed dead after a powerful earthquake hit Mexico on the anniversary of a 1985 quake that killed thousands.
High-rise buildings have collapsed in plumes of dust as thousands fled into the streets in panic.
The count continues to rise rapidly, given that emergency crews and hundreds of volunteers are digging through the debris of at least 44 collapsed buildings in the capital alone, looking for survivors and bodies.
“I’m so worried. I can’t stop crying. It’s the same nightmare as in 1985,” Georgina Sanchez, 52, sobbed in a plaza in the capital.
A primary and secondary school facility of about 400 students in Mexico City’s south has been reduced to rubble.
Initially 100 children were feared trapped inside the collapsed four-storey school building.
Authorities late yesterday confirmed the toll includes 21 children crushed beneath the school. A teacher is also believed to be among those killed.
“There are children beneath the rubble at the Enrique Rebsamen school,” local reporter Julio Ibanez tweeted earlier.
“If anyone is nearby please help! Share with as many people as possible – there are desperate families!”
As night fell, rescue workers were still clawing through the wreckage looking for any children who might still be trapped.
Some relatives said they had received Whatsapp message from two girls inside.
Mexican media broadcast images of multiple downed buildings in densely populated parts of Mexico City and nearby Cuernavaca.
The US Geological Survey said Tuesday’s 7.1-magnitude shock was centred near the Puebla state town of Raboso, about 123km southeast of Mexico City. Its automated threat assessment system puts the likely death toll at between 100 and 1000.
It comes less than two weeks after another quake left 90 dead in the country’s south.
Australian tourist Adam Williams, 39, was working on his computer on the 10th floor of the Sheraton hotel in Mexico City when “the room started shaking”.
“I heard this rumbling noise and thought it was bad music at first. Then the room started shaking and then swaying really severely,” the Brisbane native told News Corp Australia.
“I tried to get off the bed but could not walk properly. I managed to stumble to the bathroom, then waited.”
I’M SO WORRIED. I CAN’T STOP CRYING. IT’S THE SAME NIGHTMARE AS IN 1985 GEORGINA SANCHEZ, MEXICO CITY