Death toll in Mexico quake rises

JUCHITAN, MEXICO — The official death toll in Mexico’s 8.1-magnitude earthquake rose to 96 on Monday as more deaths were confirmed in the hard-hit southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department said 95 people had died nationwide in Thursday’s quake. Chiapas state civil defence director Luis Manuel Garcia Moreno said later the number of deaths there had risen from 15 to 16. Oaxaca Gov. Alejandro Murat said the death toll in his state alone has risen to 76. Officials have reported four people died in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco.

The Foreign Relations Department said the quake and hurricane Katia, which struck Friday, have forced Mexico to withdraw an offer of aid for Houston, Texas, which was hit by hurricane Harvey in August. At least two deaths were blamed on Katia.

The U.S. had thanked Mexico for the offer and said only logistical aid was needed. The Mexican Red Cross said 33 of its volunteers were helping out in Houston. Mexico said it would now dedicate its efforts to its own disasters.

About 5,000 homes in Chiapas were destroyed. Officials were still inspecting homes in Oaxaca, where more were likely damaged.

Teams of soldiers and federal police with shovels and sledgehammers fanned out across neighbourhoods to help demolish damaged buildings. Volunteers, many teens from religious or community groups in surrounding towns that were not as severely hit, turned out in force to distribute water and clothing or lend a hand.