Mexico earthquake: eleven family members killed when church collapses during child's baptism

Caskets hold the bodies of 11 family members who died when a church collapsed during a baptism
REUTERS
Tom Powell2 July 2018

Eleven members of the same family died at a child’s baptism in Mexico after a powerful earthquake struck, causing the church’s roof to collapse.

The only survivors were the two-month-old baby’s father, the priest and the priest’s assistant following the tragedy in Atzala, in Puebla state.

Four children, including Elideth Torres de Leon, the girl being christened in the Catholic church, were among the dead.

“It was a scene of horror, sadness with most of the people inside the church dying,” priest's assistant Lorenzo Sanchez told The Associated Press.

The remains of the Santiago Apostol church after it collapsed during an earthquake
AP

Rescue workers dug for hours through the remains of the Santiago Apostol church but found the 11 relatives had all died in the collapse.

It came as at least 200 people died when the magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck central Mexico on Tuesday.

Mexico earthquake: More than 217 confirmed dead

Dozens of buildings tumbled into mounds of rubble or were severely damaged in densely populated parts of Mexico City and nearby states.

Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said buildings fell at 44 places in the capital alone as high rises across the city swayed.

Mourners hold a wake for 11 family members who were killed inside the Santiago Apostol church in Atzala
AP

Hours after the earthquake, rescue workers were still clawing through the wreckage of a primary school that partly collapsed in the city's south looking for any children who might be trapped.

The earthquake is the deadliest in Mexico since a 1985 tremor on the same date killed thousands. It came less than two weeks after another powerful earthquake caused 90 deaths in the country's south.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is saddened by the loss of life and damage resulting from the earthquake.

Mr Guterres extended his condolences to the government and people of Mexico and wished those injured a speedy recovery, according to a statement released by his spokesman.

Powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits Mexico

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The statement said the UN stands ready to assist Mexico following the quake.

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