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| Mexico earthquake: military criticized over search and rescue missions – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 8.19pm BST | |
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| The Guardian’s Nina Lakhani and David Agren have filed their latest report from Mexico City. At least 250 people have died and 1,900 have been injured, they write. The damage is widespread. | |
| Details of the destruction outside the capital are only now starting to emerge, with reports of entire towns flattened and thousands of people left homeless. | |
| Directly south of Mexico City in Morelos state, the death toll stands at 73. The damage was especially acute in the municipality of Jojutla, where houses were reduced to rubble. | |
| “Jojutla is damaged badly, but there are communities that have suffered the same or worse,” said Óscar Cruz, a spokesman with the local Catholic diocese, who added all 89 Catholic parishes in the state suffered damage. “What’s tragic is that the damage is worst in the poorest pueblos.” | |
| In Puebla state, authorities have declared a state of “extraordinary emergency” in 112 municipalities – equivalent to 51% of the region. The death toll in Puebla has risen to 43. | |
| At least 1,700 homes have been declared inhabitable and should be demolished over coming months, according to the state governor. The number could well rise after experts finish more exhaustive inspections. | |
| In Metepec, a quaint colonial town, almost every house and business has suffered structural damage, raising fears among residents that the rebuild could take years. | |
| 7.35pm BST | 7.35pm BST |
| 19:35 | 19:35 |
| Mexican military criticized over earthquake response | Mexican military criticized over earthquake response |
| Nina Lakhani | Nina Lakhani |
| There is growing anger at alleged attempts by the armed forces, which have taken over many of the rescue operations initially led by volunteers, to begin razing collapsed buildings less than 72 hours after the earthquake. | There is growing anger at alleged attempts by the armed forces, which have taken over many of the rescue operations initially led by volunteers, to begin razing collapsed buildings less than 72 hours after the earthquake. |
| In the trendy neighbourhood La Roma, the navy reportedly shut down a rescue operation in an office block on Thursday morning in order to start bulldozing the unstable structure from which 24 survivors have so far been pulled free from the debris. | In the trendy neighbourhood La Roma, the navy reportedly shut down a rescue operation in an office block on Thursday morning in order to start bulldozing the unstable structure from which 24 survivors have so far been pulled free from the debris. |
| The sobbing mother of one young woman trapped inside told the Televisa news channel: “I will not let the navy bulldoze this building when my daughter and other people are still trapped inside and could be alive.” | The sobbing mother of one young woman trapped inside told the Televisa news channel: “I will not let the navy bulldoze this building when my daughter and other people are still trapped inside and could be alive.” |
| Reports of clashes between volunteer rescue workers and the armed forces are also surfacing across the capital. | Reports of clashes between volunteer rescue workers and the armed forces are also surfacing across the capital. |
| “The army has a history of imposing brutal triage rules for natural disasters which dates back to the 1985 earthquake,” said public policy analyst Rodolfo Soriano Nuñez. | “The army has a history of imposing brutal triage rules for natural disasters which dates back to the 1985 earthquake,” said public policy analyst Rodolfo Soriano Nuñez. |
| “They might get away with this arrogant approach in Oaxaca or Chiapas, but not in Mexico City.” | “They might get away with this arrogant approach in Oaxaca or Chiapas, but not in Mexico City.” |
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| 19:20 | 19:20 |
| In 2010 Public Radio International caught up with some of the people who, as babies, survived the collapse of the Juarez Hospital during the 1985 earthquake. | In 2010 Public Radio International caught up with some of the people who, as babies, survived the collapse of the Juarez Hospital during the 1985 earthquake. |
| The children became known as the “miracle babies” in the aftermath of the earthquake. Some of them spent days in the rubble before they were found. Some lost their mothers, others suffered terrible injuries. | The children became known as the “miracle babies” in the aftermath of the earthquake. Some of them spent days in the rubble before they were found. Some lost their mothers, others suffered terrible injuries. |
| Jesus Francisco was born four days before the quake, but he and his mother had remained in the General Hospital so she could undergo a hysterectomy. She had four children and didn’t want more. | Jesus Francisco was born four days before the quake, but he and his mother had remained in the General Hospital so she could undergo a hysterectomy. She had four children and didn’t want more. |
| They were in a room on the sixth floor, and she had just gone downstairs for something when the earth shook. She died, and for five days her child, one arm and ribs crushed and with a severe head injury, lay jammed into a dirty, rat-infested space hardly bigger than a shoebox. | They were in a room on the sixth floor, and she had just gone downstairs for something when the earth shook. She died, and for five days her child, one arm and ribs crushed and with a severe head injury, lay jammed into a dirty, rat-infested space hardly bigger than a shoebox. |
| His aunt Graciela Rodriguez and her husband Leonardo — who later became Jesus’ adopted parents — waited for days outside the hospital for news. On their final day of waiting, Leonard had gone to another part of the city to check on family members. When he returned, he says, as he choked down tears from the memory of it: “They said, ‘he lives, he lives.’ It was amazing.” | His aunt Graciela Rodriguez and her husband Leonardo — who later became Jesus’ adopted parents — waited for days outside the hospital for news. On their final day of waiting, Leonard had gone to another part of the city to check on family members. When he returned, he says, as he choked down tears from the memory of it: “They said, ‘he lives, he lives.’ It was amazing.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.43pm BST | at 7.43pm BST |
| 7.00pm BST | 7.00pm BST |
| 19:00 | 19:00 |
| ABC News’ John Quinones covered the 1985 Mexico earthquake which left thousands of people dead. Quinones says he “felt a familiar pain in the pit of [his] stomach” when he heard about Tuesday’s earthquake. | ABC News’ John Quinones covered the 1985 Mexico earthquake which left thousands of people dead. Quinones says he “felt a familiar pain in the pit of [his] stomach” when he heard about Tuesday’s earthquake. |
| In an article for ABC, Quinones remembers the impact of the earthquake that occurred 32 years ago. | In an article for ABC, Quinones remembers the impact of the earthquake that occurred 32 years ago. |
| As the days went by, the chances of finding more victims alive grew slimmer and slimmer. | As the days went by, the chances of finding more victims alive grew slimmer and slimmer. |
| And then came the miracles. | And then came the miracles. |
| In the middle of the night, six days after the quake first struck, we were filming at Juarez Hospital in the heart of the capital. No one had been rescued in days. Then suddenly, the volunteers raised their hands in the air, once again calling for silence. One of the workers had heard what he thought was the faint sound of a baby, crying. The volunteers then resumed their frantic digging. And sure enough, within minutes, they gently pulled a 6-day-old infant – tiny Elvira Rosas – out of the rubble. She had been born just minutes before the ground shook almost a week before and somehow, against all odds, had survived. | In the middle of the night, six days after the quake first struck, we were filming at Juarez Hospital in the heart of the capital. No one had been rescued in days. Then suddenly, the volunteers raised their hands in the air, once again calling for silence. One of the workers had heard what he thought was the faint sound of a baby, crying. The volunteers then resumed their frantic digging. And sure enough, within minutes, they gently pulled a 6-day-old infant – tiny Elvira Rosas – out of the rubble. She had been born just minutes before the ground shook almost a week before and somehow, against all odds, had survived. |
| And, that wasn’t all. An hour and a half later, another call for quiet and yet another infant – this time an 8-day-old baby boy was carried out to cheers and tearful cries of gratitude. | And, that wasn’t all. An hour and a half later, another call for quiet and yet another infant – this time an 8-day-old baby boy was carried out to cheers and tearful cries of gratitude. |
| Tonight, as we watch tireless volunteers once again dig through the rubble of collapsed buildings -– including a Mexico City school where dozens of children were trapped – the rescues we witnessed exactly 32 years ago, should give us hope. | Tonight, as we watch tireless volunteers once again dig through the rubble of collapsed buildings -– including a Mexico City school where dozens of children were trapped – the rescues we witnessed exactly 32 years ago, should give us hope. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.04pm BST | at 7.04pm BST |
| 6.14pm BST | 6.14pm BST |
| 18:14 | 18:14 |
| The Guardian’s graphics team has produced this image showing death tolls around Mexico. | The Guardian’s graphics team has produced this image showing death tolls around Mexico. |
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| 17:42 | 17:42 |
| David Agren | David Agren |
| The name “Frida Sofía” trended on Twitter on Wednesday as the country was captivated by what the media and authorities said was the imminent rescue of a girl trapped in the rubble of a collapsed school. | The name “Frida Sofía” trended on Twitter on Wednesday as the country was captivated by what the media and authorities said was the imminent rescue of a girl trapped in the rubble of a collapsed school. |
| But Frida Sofía was not the name of the girl rescuers were trying to pull from the rubble of the Enrique Rébsamen school. All students with that name at the school were accounted for, Mexican broadcaster Televisa – which focused heavily on the school site – reported Thursday morning. The girl’s parents also had not been located, according to public education secretary Aurelio Nuño. | But Frida Sofía was not the name of the girl rescuers were trying to pull from the rubble of the Enrique Rébsamen school. All students with that name at the school were accounted for, Mexican broadcaster Televisa – which focused heavily on the school site – reported Thursday morning. The girl’s parents also had not been located, according to public education secretary Aurelio Nuño. |
| “Frida Sofía” trended again on Thursday, though the tweets were tinged with rage as Mexicans railed against the country’s big broadcasters for peddling false hope as the country dug out from the two massive earthquakes in less than two week. | “Frida Sofía” trended again on Thursday, though the tweets were tinged with rage as Mexicans railed against the country’s big broadcasters for peddling false hope as the country dug out from the two massive earthquakes in less than two week. |
| “The writers of ‘the Rosa de Guadalupe’ already have their next chapter … ‘Frida Sofía,’” read one tweet, referring to corny soap opera involving in which characters plead for intervention from the national patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe. | “The writers of ‘the Rosa de Guadalupe’ already have their next chapter … ‘Frida Sofía,’” read one tweet, referring to corny soap opera involving in which characters plead for intervention from the national patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe. |
| Others were reminded of “Monchito,” a 9-year-old boy supposedly pulled from the rubble of the 1985 earthquake who never existed. | Others were reminded of “Monchito,” a 9-year-old boy supposedly pulled from the rubble of the 1985 earthquake who never existed. |
| Mexican TV continued with its coverage of the earthquake Thursday, though it turned its attention to disaster areas away from the Enrique Rébsamen school, which collapsed in a tragedy killing 21 students and four teachers. | Mexican TV continued with its coverage of the earthquake Thursday, though it turned its attention to disaster areas away from the Enrique Rébsamen school, which collapsed in a tragedy killing 21 students and four teachers. |
| Rescue efforts continued at the school, though with reduced crews due to the fragility of the site, Mexican media reported. | Rescue efforts continued at the school, though with reduced crews due to the fragility of the site, Mexican media reported. |
| 5.10pm BST | 5.10pm BST |
| 17:10 | 17:10 |
| The Los Angeles Times has reported on the tragic story of 11 people who were killed when a church collapsed in Atzala, about 100 miles south of Mexico City. | The Los Angeles Times has reported on the tragic story of 11 people who were killed when a church collapsed in Atzala, about 100 miles south of Mexico City. |
| They were gathered at the Santiago the Apostle Catholic Church to attend the baptism of three-month-old Elideth Torres de Leon, according to the LA Times. Torres de Leon was among those who died. | They were gathered at the Santiago the Apostle Catholic Church to attend the baptism of three-month-old Elideth Torres de Leon, according to the LA Times. Torres de Leon was among those who died. |
| The coffins of the 11 people killed in the church collapse were lined up together on Wednesday as stunned friends, relatives and townsfolk said goodbye — the baptism had instead become a funeral Mass. | The coffins of the 11 people killed in the church collapse were lined up together on Wednesday as stunned friends, relatives and townsfolk said goodbye — the baptism had instead become a funeral Mass. |
| “I am in profound pain. I am shattered,” said Graciano Villanueva Perez, 73, who lost six relatives — his wife, sister, daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, all of whom were attending the baptism. “I don’t know what to say,” he added, drifting away to the comfort of kin, his head bowed. He had been at home resting when the quake hit. | “I am in profound pain. I am shattered,” said Graciano Villanueva Perez, 73, who lost six relatives — his wife, sister, daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, all of whom were attending the baptism. “I don’t know what to say,” he added, drifting away to the comfort of kin, his head bowed. He had been at home resting when the quake hit. |
| His relative, Facundo Flores Nolasco, 42, also lost six loved ones: his wife, mother, brother, daughter-in-law, a niece and a nephew. He had been returning from his fields on a bicycle with others when the quake struck. | His relative, Facundo Flores Nolasco, 42, also lost six loved ones: his wife, mother, brother, daughter-in-law, a niece and a nephew. He had been returning from his fields on a bicycle with others when the quake struck. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.11pm BST | at 5.11pm BST |
| 4.25pm BST | 4.25pm BST |
| 16:25 | 16:25 |
| Some of the video footage from Mexico has shown rescuers sporadically raising their fists in the air as they search for survivors. The BBC explains why here. | Some of the video footage from Mexico has shown rescuers sporadically raising their fists in the air as they search for survivors. The BBC explains why here. |
| Why are people in the rescue effort after Mexico's earthquake raising their fists? #PuñosArribahttps://t.co/Dm7bGPSFAI pic.twitter.com/y1EQJKz8pq | Why are people in the rescue effort after Mexico's earthquake raising their fists? #PuñosArribahttps://t.co/Dm7bGPSFAI pic.twitter.com/y1EQJKz8pq |
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| 15:46 | 15:46 |
| For those wondering where they can donate to people in Mexico, the New York Times has published a list of organizations helping with the earthquake response. | For those wondering where they can donate to people in Mexico, the New York Times has published a list of organizations helping with the earthquake response. |
| Topos Mexico is a non-profit, volunteer rescue team that has been prominently involved in the response. The organization posted information on how to donate on its Twitter feed. | Topos Mexico is a non-profit, volunteer rescue team that has been prominently involved in the response. The organization posted information on how to donate on its Twitter feed. |
| Gracias por ayudar a nuestra labor:Santander 92000709294 CLABE 014180920007092942Paypal: donativos@brigada-rescate-topos.org topos.mx pic.twitter.com/3bVhOqXRYe | Gracias por ayudar a nuestra labor:Santander 92000709294 CLABE 014180920007092942Paypal: donativos@brigada-rescate-topos.org topos.mx pic.twitter.com/3bVhOqXRYe |
| Here are some other groups the Times recommended. | Here are some other groups the Times recommended. |
| Mexican Red Cross has been accepting direct donations online and has set up an Amazon Wish List for necessary items. | Mexican Red Cross has been accepting direct donations online and has set up an Amazon Wish List for necessary items. |
| Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, has staff members in Mexico City and has pledged that 100 percent of its donations will go directly to relief efforts, which it says will include facilitating the delivery of medical supplies to affected areas. | Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, has staff members in Mexico City and has pledged that 100 percent of its donations will go directly to relief efforts, which it says will include facilitating the delivery of medical supplies to affected areas. |
| GlobalGiving, a crowdfunding organization, has pledged that all money donated to its earthquake fund will go to recovery and relief efforts. | GlobalGiving, a crowdfunding organization, has pledged that all money donated to its earthquake fund will go to recovery and relief efforts. |
| Fondo Unido México, part of the United Way network, has created an emergency fund to help the areas affected by the earthquakes as well as the recent series of hurricanes. | Fondo Unido México, part of the United Way network, has created an emergency fund to help the areas affected by the earthquakes as well as the recent series of hurricanes. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.51pm BST | at 3.51pm BST |
| 3.16pm BST | 3.16pm BST |
| 15:16 | 15:16 |
| David Agren | David Agren |
| Mexico awoke Thursday to news that rescuers at a collapsed elementary school were still trying to wedge their way into the rubble and free trapped students. | Mexico awoke Thursday to news that rescuers at a collapsed elementary school were still trying to wedge their way into the rubble and free trapped students. |
| One the students, a girl initially known as Frida Sofía, was thought to be in contact with classmates and close to being pulled from the rubble. | One the students, a girl initially known as Frida Sofía, was thought to be in contact with classmates and close to being pulled from the rubble. |
| Public education secretary Aurelio Nuño told Televisa late last night that the girl was alive, but authorities were unable to locate her parents or any family member. | Public education secretary Aurelio Nuño told Televisa late last night that the girl was alive, but authorities were unable to locate her parents or any family member. |
| As dawn broke on an overcast day, the network reported the girl’s name was not Frida. Teachers at the collapsed Rébsamen school, reported that all girls with that name were accounted for. Televisa speculated that rescue workers didn’t correctly hear the girl’s name. | As dawn broke on an overcast day, the network reported the girl’s name was not Frida. Teachers at the collapsed Rébsamen school, reported that all girls with that name were accounted for. Televisa speculated that rescue workers didn’t correctly hear the girl’s name. |
| The case of Frida Sofía captured the public imagination as the country seemed to search for small signs of optimism after the earthquake had inflicting so much damage on the national capital and its environs. “Frida Sofía” trended on Twitter, while millions of Mexicans tuned into cable coverage of the rescue effort. | The case of Frida Sofía captured the public imagination as the country seemed to search for small signs of optimism after the earthquake had inflicting so much damage on the national capital and its environs. “Frida Sofía” trended on Twitter, while millions of Mexicans tuned into cable coverage of the rescue effort. |
| A portion of the four-story private school collapsed shortly after the earthquake hit Mexico City, claiming at least 25 lives – including four teachers. | A portion of the four-story private school collapsed shortly after the earthquake hit Mexico City, claiming at least 25 lives – including four teachers. |
| Dramatic imagers of rescuers pulling out children captivated the country. But several rescuers interviewed on Wednesday expressed pessimism that many more students would be found alive. They pointed to the building collapsing “like a sandwich” leaving piles of dense rubble. Stories flowed out of the scene, including the rescue of two girls – triggering applause and fist pumps from rescuers and volunteers. | Dramatic imagers of rescuers pulling out children captivated the country. But several rescuers interviewed on Wednesday expressed pessimism that many more students would be found alive. They pointed to the building collapsing “like a sandwich” leaving piles of dense rubble. Stories flowed out of the scene, including the rescue of two girls – triggering applause and fist pumps from rescuers and volunteers. |
| Signs of a rescue unfolded, including urgent calls for stretchers and medical person to arrive at the scene, along with supplies like oxygen tanks, neck braces and adrenaline. It was said at the scene that several girls were enduring their ordeal under a granite table. | Signs of a rescue unfolded, including urgent calls for stretchers and medical person to arrive at the scene, along with supplies like oxygen tanks, neck braces and adrenaline. It was said at the scene that several girls were enduring their ordeal under a granite table. |
| But later a member of the Topos, a citizen group of rescuers, who burrow through rubble, said the stories of a rescue were false. The group left the scene after the authorities brought in heavy equipment to the collapsed school. | But later a member of the Topos, a citizen group of rescuers, who burrow through rubble, said the stories of a rescue were false. The group left the scene after the authorities brought in heavy equipment to the collapsed school. |
| Héctor Mendoza, a Topos leaders, told the press: “The Topos way is to work without machinery.” | Héctor Mendoza, a Topos leaders, told the press: “The Topos way is to work without machinery.” |
| He added that introducing machinery risked collapsing the narrow tunnels that small space where the victims were likely trapped. Sofía was thought to be on the third floor of the collapsed school. But late last night rescuers did not find anyone there and said she is likely to be on another floor. | He added that introducing machinery risked collapsing the narrow tunnels that small space where the victims were likely trapped. Sofía was thought to be on the third floor of the collapsed school. But late last night rescuers did not find anyone there and said she is likely to be on another floor. |
| 3.06pm BST | 3.06pm BST |
| 15:06 | 15:06 |
| Mexico’s government has published a list of 45 shelters set up for people left homeless by the earthquake. | Mexico’s government has published a list of 45 shelters set up for people left homeless by the earthquake. |
| Lista de albergues para las personas damnificadas en la Ciudad de México por el sismo del 19 de septiembre. #FuerzaMéxico 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/Fdusx3qj80 | Lista de albergues para las personas damnificadas en la Ciudad de México por el sismo del 19 de septiembre. #FuerzaMéxico 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/Fdusx3qj80 |