Blame starts to fly over collapse of buildings

Allegations of negligent construction and poor oversight began to fly Monday after deadly building collapses during Mexico’s earthquake, as hope faded of finding more survivors of a disaster that killed more than 300 people.

The most high-profile collapse occurred at a school where 19 children were killed last week -- a structure which was built illegally on land reserved for housing, according to local media reports.

Mexico City’s mayor, the education minister and the top official for the district all traded blame after reports that the Enrique Rebsamen primary school operated using false documents.

“If confirmed, it would be very serious,” Education Min- ister Aurelio Nuno told TV network Televisa, saying he had ordered an investigation.

Political analysts said the quake underlined politicians’ lack of credibility, less than a year out from presidential elections.

Just 35 percent of Mexicans approve of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s response, according to a poll by the newspaper Reforma.

“Anger with the political class will be the political aftermath of the earthquake,” said the Eurasia Group consulting firm.

Rescue workers have now wrapped up their efforts at all but five sites in Mexico City, and the chances of pulling any more survivors from the rubble are dim.