Israel Sends Aid to Mexico After Devastating Earthquake

A 7.1 magnitude natural disaster has struck central Mexico, killing at least 200 people and leaving many more trapped in buildings in the capital, Mexico City.

It also happened almost two weeks after the country was struck by a massive 8.1 magnitude quake, which killed more than 30 people.

Sadly, the natural disaster happened on the anniversary of an quake which killed thousands of Mexican people 32 years ago.

Family members rushed to the scene looking for loved ones. This is about 100 miles away, which means approximately 160 kilometers from Mexico city. The rescue work is still going on as police, firefighters and locals dug through the rubble of collapsed schools, homes and apartment buildings, looking for survivors of the natural disaster.

Late Tuesday, Mexico’s president issued a video statement urging people to stay calm in the aftermath of the quake. The Israeli teams will help the local forces in their mission to locate and rescue people.

Morelos state, directly south of the capital, suffered 64 deaths. / AFP PHOTORescue teams look for people trapped in the rubble after an quake in Mexico City on September 19, 2017.

Miguel Angel Mancera, Mexico City mayor, said 44 buildings were severely damaged or destroyed and that several major gas leaks and fires occurred. Initial reports suggest almost half of the casualties were in Mexico City, according to Reuters. Millions are without power and rescue workers in the Mexican capital are now in a race against time to find survivors. The search carries on throughout the night.

It is the second quake to hit Mexico this month.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the operation and said it would leave for Mexico as soon as possible, his office said Wednesday morning in a statement.