Death toll from earthquake in Mexico hits 90

YemenExtra

The death toll from a powerful earthquake that recently struck Mexico’s southern coast has risen to at least 90, as rescuers race to save those still trapped in the rubble.

Mexican officials provided the updated death toll late on Saturday, 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.

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

The 8.1-magnitude earthquake, which struck off the coast of Chiapas on Thursday, was the strongest the Latin American country had seen in a century.

The Mexican Seismological Service said 721 aftershocks had been recorded since the initial tremor, with reports saying that hundreds of families were camping on the streets, afraid of strong aftershocks.

The quake also triggered a tsunami warning and the evacuation of thousands of people in coastal communities in Chiapas; however, the warning was later lifted.

Tens of thousands of emergency packs, as well as teams of soldiers and federal police officers, have been sent to the affected areas.

Mexican President Pena Nieto declared three days of national mourning on a visit to the affected areas, saying serious damage had been caused and that one million customers had initially been without power.

“We have to battle the destructive force of this earthquake with the constructive force of the unity of Mexican people, especially those populations that were worst affected,” he said.

Mexico is also dealing with the aftermath of a powerful hurricane, Katia, which made landfall in the state of Veracruz on the Mexican Gulf coast on Friday. The tropical storm rapidly weakened but local officials are worried that it could still cause landslides and flooding.