Mexico, dead 150 and 4 millions in the dark
There are 150 victims of the earthquake that struck Mexico yesterday, the toll is unfortunately provisional, while 4 million people remained in the dark. Shortly after 13.00pm yesterday, buildings crumbled as terrified people ran down the street. Only 12 days after the 8.2 earthquake that killed 98 people and precisely on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the devastating earthquake, one of the worst of the twentieth century, which on 19 September 1985 in Mexico caused 10000 victims. The epicenter was in the Morelos region, about 160 kilometers from Mexico City, where at least 55 people died. In the capital, where about forty buildings including two schools collapsed, the victims are at least 49, according to the latest bulletin from the head of civil protection, Luis Felipe Puente. Among the victims, at least 21 children from the Rebsamen elementary school, in Mexico City, and a teacher.
In the state of Puebla, again according to Puente, 32 deaths were recorded, in the state of Mexico 10 and in the state of Guerrero 3. Rescuers and volunteers are working tirelessly to extract the victims from the rubble. "It is a national emergency", declared President Enrique Pena Nieto, also activating the military for relief efforts. All schools have been closed in Mexico City and in the states of Puebla and Guerrero. The airport of the capital, initially closed, was only reopened in the evening and no damage seems to have been recorded. In hospitals at risk of collapse, evacuations have been ordered. “God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and we will be beside you ”, President Donald Trump tweeted yesterday while former President Barack Obama, always with a twitter, offered his condolences by sending“ a big hug to everyone.
Messages of solidarity arrived from all South American leaders, starting with the Venezuelan Nicolas Maduro, the president of El Salvador, Salvador Sanchez and the president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, wished the wounded and the country a speedy recovery. The earthquake also appears to have caused an eruption of the Popocatepetl volcano in the Puebla region, killing 15 people, according to Governor Jose Antonio Gali. It is the most active volcano in Mexico. The last eruption was recorded last July this year.