Volunteers from ZAKA Mexico — an offshoot of Israel’s primary rescue and recovery volunteer organization — are assisting in search, rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Tuesday night’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake.
The earthquake hit 120 kilometers south of Mexico City and has killed at least 217 people, according to figures from Mexico’s Civil Protection Agency. Tuesday’s quake is the second to hit Mexico in just two weeks’ time. On September 7, a magnitude 8.1 quake killed at least 90 people when it struck the country’s southern coast.
“It is impossible to describe the scope of the disaster. Millions of people are without power, there is great confusion and distress,” ZAKA Mexico commander Marcus Cain stated.
The earthquake also caused major structural damage, including the collapse of a school in Mexico City that killed at least 22 children and two adults.
ZAKA Mexico volunteers are currently involved in the search and rescue of a Jewish resident trapped in another building collapse, ZAKA International Rescue Unit Chief Officer Mati Goldstein confirmed.
The threat of building collapse is causing worries for members of the Mexican-Jewish community ahead of the high holidays when many will attend religious services.
“Engineers have been dispatched to local synagogues to ensure that Rosh Hashana services can safely take place,” ZAKA Mexico volunteer Benjamin Shechnazi said.
Since September 2016, ZAKA has trained 70 Mexico City-based volunteers. All volunteers, working in two teams of 35, are on call to assist earthquake victims.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Hotovely on Wednesday sent condolences to the Mexican people and encouragement to Israeli support teams assisting in the rescue operations.
Israel sends prayers for the injured condolences for those killed in Mexico’s devastating earthquake. Godspeed to Israeli support teams.
— Tzipi Hotovely (@TzipiHotovely) September 20, 2017
Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s instruction to send aid to Mexico as soon as possible, a delegation including 60 people from the Home Front Command accompanied by two foreign ministry officials is being dispatched to the affected areas. A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said Israel’s ambassador to Mexico was already in talks with local authorities over where to send aid.
Article source: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.813342
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