A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Mexico on Tuesday, leaving more than 200 people dead and countless homes toppled and buildings collapsed. The deadly quake, which eerily coincided with the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 earthquake that killed some 10,000 people in the country, struck near the town of Raboso in Puebla, about 76 miles southeast of Mexico City. The quake also comes of the heels of the magnitude 8.1 tremor that hit southern Mexico just two weeks ago. That seismic event, which Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto called the biggest quake his country had ever seen, killed 90.
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Due to the population density in and around Mexico City, Tuesday’s quake proved to be tragically catastrophic. As Fox News reported, 25 bodies were pulled from the rubble at a collapsed school building, and all but four of the victims were children. A mix of first responders and volunteers have been carefully sorting through the wreckage, listening and watching closely for any signs of human life.
“We dug holes, then crawled in on our bellies,” volunteer rescue worker Pedro Serrano, 29, a doctor, told the Associated Press. “We managed to get into a collapsed classroom. We saw some chairs and wooden tables. The next thing we saw was a leg, and then we started to move rubble and we found a girl and two adults — a woman and a man.”
In a video posted to Twitter after the quake, Nieto urged residents to stay calm. While 40 percent of Mexico City is without power, the president explained the current priority is search and rescue.
El Presidente @EPN ofreció un mensaje a la nación tras el #sismo que se registró en la tarde del 19 de septiembre. #FuerzaMéxico pic.twitter.com/icdmHTyxzd
— Presidencia EPN 2012-2018 (@PresidenciaMX) September 20, 2017
President Donald Trump also took to Twitter to offer condolences and pledge support, as did Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who just recently received aid and resources from Mexico in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 19, 2017
Statement on the devastating earthquake in central Mexico. #MexicoQuake pic.twitter.com/sTJnPIZS3G
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) September 19, 2017
Additionally, celebrities flooded social media on Tuesday with messages of love and prayers for those so devastated by the earthquake.
Praying everyone in Mexico is ok. I can't imagine how scary that must be.
— kevin jonas (@kevinjonas) September 19, 2017
My love, thoughts, and prayers go to all affected in Mexico City.
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) September 19, 2017
Thoughts and prayers for #MexicoCity 🙏🏾
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 19, 2017
My heart goes out to the people of Mexico today. So much damage being done all around the world. Pray without ceasing.
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 19, 2017
Mexican actor Diego Luna, who stars in the Star Wars Rouge One franchise, shared on Twitter that he and his family were safe and accounted for, before proceeding to provide emergency contact information and updates for people in the area.
Mi familia y yo estamos bien. Gracias a todos por sus mensajes / My family and I are safe. Thank you for your messages and good wishes.
— diego luna (@diegoluna_) September 19, 2017
A heart-shaped depiction Mexican flag also began circulating, with people sharing the image along with words of support and encouragement.
🙏 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/PjVMrv1V16
— Enrique Iglesias (@enriqueiglesias) September 19, 2017
Sending my love to Mexico ❤️🇲🇽 #PrayForMexico #FuerzaMexico pic.twitter.com/m0oYhRj4pp
— Britney Spears 🌹🚀 (@britneyspears) September 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/EvaLongoria/status/910255800349859845
(H/T: New York Daily News)