Mexico races to save 12-year-old girl
• Quake rescue efforts continue unabated as dawn breaks on Thursday
Rescuers laboured against the odds as dawn broke on Thursday to save a 12-year-old schoolgirl and other possible survivors who were trapped beneath collapsed buildings in central Mexico, following the country’s deadliest earthquake in 32 years.
Rescuers laboured against the odds as dawn broke on Thursday to save a 12-year-old schoolgirl and other possible survivors who were trapped beneath collapsed buildings in central Mexico, following the country’s deadliest earthquake in 32 years.
More than 50 survivors have been plucked from several disaster sites in Mexico City since Tuesday afternoon’s magnitude 7.1 quake, leading to impassioned choruses of, “Yes we can!” from the first responders, volunteers and spectators gathered around the ruins.
At least 237 others have died and 1,900 were injured.
As the chances of survival diminished with each passing hour, officials vowed to continue with search-and-rescue efforts such as the one at a collapsed school in the south of the capital. At the site, Navy-led rescuers have communicated with the 12-year-old girl, but were still unable to dig her free.
Another 11 children were rescued from the Enrique Rebsamen school. So far, a total of 21 children and four adults had been killed there.
Rescuers had earlier seen a hand protruding from the debris and the girl wiggled her fingers when asked if she was still alive, said broadcaster Televisa.
But, about 15 hours into the effort, Adm José Luis Vergara said rescuers could not pinpoint the location of the girl, identified only as Frida Sofia.
“There’s a girl alive in there, we’re pretty sure of that, but we still don’t know how to get to her,” Vergara told Televisa.
“The hours that have passed complicate the chances of finding alive or in good health, the person who might be trapped.”
RESCUE EFFORT
As Vergara spoke, a human chain of hard-hatted rescuers removed a large chunk of concrete from the floodlit scene.
Rescuers periodically demanded silence from bystanders to allow them to hear any calls for help.
As with other disaster sites throughout central Mexico, officials have not employed heavylifting equipment for fear of crushing survivors. About 52 buildings collapsed in Mexico City alone and more in the surrounding states.
Throughout the capital, crews were joined by volunteers who used dogs, cameras, motion detectors and heatseeking equipment to detect victims who may still be alive.
Thousands of people have donated food, water, medicine, blankets and other basic items to help relief efforts. Companies provided free services and restaurants delivered food to shelters where thousands of people have sought refuge after their homes were damaged.
“Faced with the force of nature, we are all vulnerable and that is why we all unite when it comes to saving a life or helping a victim,” said President Enrique Peña Nieto.