Devastating earthquake in Mexico claims 226 lives

The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck southern Mexico yesterday has risen to 226, half of whom died in the capital Mexico City and its surroundings, officials announced, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

The Civil Defense Agency announced that 117 people died in Mexico City, 55 in the state of Morelos, and 39 in the state of Puebla, where the epicenter of the tremor was located. Among the victims are a large number of children.

Several dozen buildings collapsed in the strong tremor, and thousands of people rushed into the streets in panic after the earthquake, where many remained, trying to find survivors in the rubble.

The mayor of Mexico City, Miguel Ángel Mancera, said that 44 buildings collapsed in the city, while at least 22 people died during the collapse of a school, and more than 30 are reported missing.  

In the state of Mexico, which surrounds the capital, 12 people lost their lives, while three died in the state of Guerrero. Just 11 days ago, an earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck Mexico and claimed more than 90 lives.