On Tuesday September 19th, the residents of Mexico were hit with a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. As of Sunday September 24th, the death count is up to 320. Of the death count, 182 were citizens from Mexico City. Along with the high count of tragic deaths, the city has lost almost 4,000 buildings.
“It was one of the worst feelings I’ve ever experienced in my life,” she said. “It’s a bit like being on top of a double-decker bus that’s trying to brake and you’re thinking you’re about to get thrown. And of course, you’re thinking, ‘Are things going to fall on top of me — is the building going to collapse?’ “
Freelance reporter Natasha Pizzy tells NPR’s All Things Considered.
Why is September 19th so significant for Mexico? Exactly 32 years ago, a hurricane hit, resulting in thousands of deaths. The 2017 disaster occurred just hours after residents took part in simulation drills to mark the anniversary of the previous hurricane.
The residents of Mexico are desperate, anguished, and distraught. However, they will not let this travesty bring them down.
“United together in all of Mexico, we will face this task of reconstruction and see that things return to normal.”
President Enrique Peña Nieto tells the people of Jiquipilas, a town in Southern Mexico.
The people of Mexico have not given up – thousands have volunteered to help officials continue searching for bodies, hand out medications to injured people, blankets to the cold, and support to the emotionally shattered.
“It’s very characteristic of the Mexican people: We stand together,”
-Med student Christian Piñeiro, one of the many volunteers.
If you would like to support the people of Mexico during their time of need, you can donate at any of these websites: