Mexico quake kills 90

THE death toll from the massive earthquake that struck Mexico on Thursday night has risen to at least 90 after emergency services in the southern state of Oaxaca said there had been 71 confirmed fatalities in the state alone.

“It’s 71 [dead]. Just for Oaxaca,” said Jesus Gonzalez, a spokesman for the state civil protection authority, late on Saturday.

At least 15 people died in the neighbouring state of Chiapas, according to local authorities, while another four deaths have also been confirmed in the state of Tabasco to the north.

The 8.1 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Chiapas was stronger than a devastating 1985 tremor that flattened swathes of Mexico City and killed thousands.

Relief efforts in the south continued throughout yesterday, with many of the people worst affected still wary of returning indoors to weakened buildings, fearing they could be brought down by continuing aftershocks. The earthquake damaged buildings as far away as Mexico City.