Historic Mexican Earthquake
Tuesday September 19, 2017 marked the 32 year anniversary of the powerful Mexican earthquake of 1985 that deeply affected the country’s capital, Mexico City.
Coincidentally, Mexico was struck by another large earthquake on the same day. This earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 7.1 and damaged the country’s infrastructure.
“We are facing a new national emergency,” President Enrique Peña Nieto said in a national address following the earthquake.
The death toll exceeded the 300 mark and is expected to increase as more victims are being located, according to Mexico’s civil protection coordinator, Luis Felipe Puente.
Resources for the reconstruction efforts are limited. Peña Nieto, hinted that the 2018 budget should be modified to fit the needs of the affected area.
“Today, the reconstruction needs more resources, and this should be reflected in the presidential budget debate next year,” President Enrique Peña Nieto said in a news conference.
Following the earthquake, many of Mexico’s citizens were left without electricity and had no way of communicating with outside relatives.
“It was the worst two days of my life,” victim Mauricio Maldon said.” These past days caused heavy anxiety through my family, we were unsure whether our relatives were safe or not”
There are still a handful of victims that have yet to be rescued. The country is heavily depending on volunteers to help with the search of victims.
“Me and my family decided to volunteer,” Mariana Juarez said. “We know what it’s like, and don’t want them to go through the same thing we did back in ‘85.”
Public schools located in Mexico City are said to have completely collapsed and fallen to the ground. Mexican authorities found 30 dead bodies beneath the rubble of an elementary school following the earthquake. There are still an estimated 12 children whose bodies have not been found.
“It’s so sad to think about those kids,” Juarez said. “I just hope they find them and that they’re alright.”
The country is in need of serious help for the search of victims, reconstructing of buildings and homes, and to provide food and shelter for the victims. Being the prideful Texans that we are, we must lend a helping hand to our neighbor to the south and treat them as if they were our own. The Mexican Red Cross is accepting donations online and has set up an amazon wishlist for necessary items.
