Death toll from Mexico’s quake rises to 282
The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Mexico has risen to 282, according to officials, who said rescue efforts still continued three days after the country’s deadliest earthquake in a decade.
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake, which struck Latin American country on Tuesday, devastated parts of Mexico City and badly hit the states of Morelos and Puebla.
The quake toppled at least 50 buildings only in the capital, including an elementary school with about 400 students in the south of Mexico City.
Mexico’s navy, more than 500 members of the army, and 200 police officers and volunteers worked at the school site to find survivors.
They rescued 11 children from the rubble, but 19 children and six adults were killed, according to the navy. Assistant Navy Secretary Angel Enrique Sarmiento said that all students had now been accounted for, either alive or dead.
Army chief Salvador Cienfuegos wrote on Twitter, “We won’t suspend the search and rescue mission we’ve been given until we find the last of the survivors.”
Rescue efforts in Mexico City are focused on 10 collapsed buildings where people may still be alive.
Among the collapsed buildings was a clothing factory in the Obrera neighborhood, where volunteers and rescue workers said they heard sounds of people.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, said at least five nationals were trapped under the factory rubble in a car.
Mexican President Enrique Nieto has declared three days of national mourning for the victims.
Mexican president blames US for surging drug cartel violence
Mexico lashes out at US over ‘meddling' comments by its ambassador
Tonnes of dead fish surface in western Mexico
What led to dilly-dallying in ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant
Palestinians flee Gaza City suburb after Israel issues forced evacuation order
Iran says will discuss key nuclear, regional issues with France, Germany, UK
VIDEO | Israeli archaeologist killed in Southern Lebanon
VIDEO | Israeli airstrike on Lebanon's army base kills soldier, injures 18 others
Sirens sound across Tel Aviv as Hezbollah fires barrage of missiles at Israeli target
Israeli ‘archeologist’ who toured south Lebanon in military uniform to falsify history
The importance of Venezuela for Iran
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
