Georgian Government saddened over Mexican earthquake
By Tea Mariamidze
Thursday, September 21
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili expressed his condolences to the families of victims of a Mexican earthquake that left around 216 people dead on Tuesday.
"I would like to express my support towards the Mexican nation, which now has to deal with the results of the earthquake," stated Kvirikashvili.
The advisor of the Georgian Embassy to Mexico, Nikoloz Sakhvadze, stated that no Georgians have been reported among the deceased or injured.
“We are in contact with every citizen of Georgia who is in Mexico. Thank God, all of them are fine but a few were in the buildings that were destroyed; however they managed to survive,” the advisor stated.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry also sent condolences to the families of victims.
“Sincere condolences to the families of victims of devastating Mexico earthquake. Georgia stands with Mexico,” the ministry’s tweet reads.
The strong, 7.1 magnitude earthquake has struck central Mexico at 13:14 local time (18:14 GMT) and sent thousands of residents into the streets.
Tuesday's earthquake came more than one week after a magnitude-8.1 earthquake struck off the southern coast of the country.
An earlier death toll of nearly 250 was lowered to 216 by the country's national coordinator for civil protection.
CNN reports that President Enrique Pena Nieto said 22 bodies were found in the debris of an elementary school in Mexico City that collapsed due to the earthquake. At least 30 children were still missing Tuesday night, he said.
"We are facing a new national emergency," Pena Nieto told citizens earlier on his first address following the earthquake.
According to the BBC, in a televised address, the president said an emergency had been declared for the affected areas and the military had been drafted in to help with the response.
He also urged residents whose properties were structurally sound to remain in their homes and where possible to allow emergency services and those helping with rescue efforts to clear the streets.
Across Mexico City, teams of rescue workers and volunteers clawed through the rubble with picks, shovels and their bare hands.
