A devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck central Mexico on Tuesday, marking the second major quake in just a week and a half.
This is what you need to know about the unfolding situation
- At the time of this posting, over 240 people have been killed as a result of the earthquake
- Approximately 30 children were still missing as of Tuesday night
- The fatality figure is expected to climb as victims are pulled from the rubble of demolished structures
- The sheer force of the earthquake caused damage within a 75-mile radius of where it occurred
- The quake occurred on the 32nd anniversary of the infamous 1985 Mexico City earthquake, which caused the deaths of 10,000 people and injured approximately 30,000 more
- Education Minister Aurelio Nuño tweeted a "suspension of [school] classes at all levels" until further notice
- The magnitude of the quake caused over 40 buildings in the surrounding area to collapse, trapping people inside the debris
- This is the second earthquake to strike the area over the last 10 days: the first quake occurred off of the country's southern coast and was an 8.1 magnitude quake and killed approximately 90 people
- "We are facing a new national emergency," Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto told citizens in his first address after the quake
How you can help
The following organizations provide disaster relief aid to Mexico residents.
- World Vision
- Red Cross Mexico
- Save the Children Mexico
- International Community Foundation
- Oxfam Mexico
- UNICEF Mexico
- Global Giving Foundation
This story is developing, and will be updated as necessary ...