Mexico earthquake: Rescue efforts continue as death toll rises to 90

Mexico – Ninety people are now confirmed dead in the quake that struck off Mexico’s southern coast on Thursday with a magnitude of 8.1. It was the most powerful earthquake in a century and was felt by tens of millions in the country. The states of Chiapas and Oaxaca are the two areas that suffered the most, with thousand of homes, and hundred of schools badly damaged. Oaxaca Gov. Alejandro Murat said Sunday that the death toll in his state had risen to 71, while officials have reported 15 died in Chiapas and four in the states of Tabasco.

Some people continued to sleep outside, fearful of more collapses, as strong aftershocks continued to rattle the town, including a magnitude 5.2 jolt early Sunday. Local officials said they had counted nearly 800 aftershocks of all sizes since late Thursday’s big quake, and the U.S. Geological Survey counted nearly 60 with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater. Teams of soldiers and federal police armed with shovels and sledgehammers fanned out across neighborhoods to help demolish damaged buildings in Juchitan, where dump trucks choked some narrow streets as they began hauling away tons of rubble. Relief and rescue efforts continued throughout the weekend.