Number of earthquake victims rises in Mexico

The strong earthquake which shook Mexico on September 7 has so far taken the life of 96 victims, 76 alone in the State of Oaxaca, according to official reports.

A preliminary assessment has exposed that 12 thousand houses were structurally affected by the phenomenon, according to the Governor of the state, Alejandro Murat, while personnel of the Secretary of National Defense has evacuated one thousand and 300 people , which have already been assigned to several shelters across the region.

Both, the Mexican Military and the Federal Police, have so far transported over 30 tonnes of consumables and supplies to the victims.

The Federal Police has also sent reinforcements to the city of Juchitán, Oaxaca , to prevent lootings at shopping malls and supermarkets.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has traveled this morning to the state of Chiapas , where he plans to visit Tonalá and Cintalapa, in addition to the capital of the state, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, to assess the relief aid actions being provided to the population affected by the quake.

The earthquake, which recorded an 8.1 magnitude according to the United States Geology Service (USGS), is considered the strongest earthquake in Mexico since 1932.

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