On the same day as the anniversary of Mexico City’s most damaging earthquake of 1985, another earthquake struck. This past Tuesday, September 19, a minimum of 250 people died and many more are injured due to a 7.1 magnitude quake. Just days before, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake hit around the area of Oaxaca, Mexico, killing 35 people. As Dr. Pat Abbott from San Diego State University explained, “there is a good chance that today’s was triggered by movement from 11 days ago.”
Ironically, citizens of Mexico City were in the midst of an earthquake drill when the deathly quake hit.
One of the many buildings to turn to ruins was Enrique Rebsamen Elementary. The deadly quake caused the school to cave in and amongst the rubble, 25 bodies were found — 21 of those being children. Fortunately, 11 people were rescued and the efforts have continued.
On Wednesday, a rumor circulated through the world. A Mexican navy official, Angel Enrique Sarmiento, along with civilians claimed that a 12-year-old girl was stuck beneath the ruins of the elementary school. Thursday morning, Mexican Navy Adm. Jose Luis Vergara informed people the child had still not been found but as of Thursday night, the search ended. All the school’s children had been accounted for and there was no student known to be in the rubble. On Friday morning, Sarmiento speaks on the subject. “I offer the Mexican public an apology for the information disseminated (Thursday) afternoon where I affirmed that I did not have details about a supposed child survivor in this tragedy.”
Secretary of Public Education Aurelio Nuños said that about 2,000 schools were affected while 16 of the 212 public schools in Mexico City suffered severe damage.
“The English teacher said there was a quake,” a young girl from Enrique Rebsamen said. “Our teacher took us to the stairs, and that’s when part of the building started to come down. There was dust everywhere. We couldn’t see.” Other schools in the area are to remain closed indefinitely.
Over 9,700 homes and 100 government buildings have been destroyed explained Governor Tony Gali. Shelters have become new homes for these Mexico City civilians.
If you would like to help, you can donate to Topos Mexico, a nonprofit rescue brigade made as a result of the 1985 earthquake.
