New Delhi/Mexico City: The number of casualties from the massive earthquake in Mexico has increased to at least 90 till Sunday after the emergency services in the southern state of Oaxaca confirmed that 71 people had died in the state alone.
"It's 71 (dead). Just for Oaxaca," said Jesus Gonzalez, a spokesman for the state civil protection authority.
Around 15 people were left dead in the neighboring state of Chiapas, according to local authorities, while another four fatalities have also been confirmed in the state of Tabasco to the north. 37 more people were killed in the town of Juchitan.
An 8.1 magnitude earthquake that rattled Mexico off the coast of Chiapas on Thursday, was strong enough to cause buildings to sway violently. The tremor was stronger than the devastating 1985 earthquake that killed thousands in the Mexico city. Relief measures have started in various towns of Mexico. Government cargo planes delivered much-needed supplies and the military began distributing boxes of food, though many residents of Juchintan complained that progress was slow and they hadn't yet received assistance.
Locals in Juchitan complained that the aid packages distributed had not arrived to many families. An army captain pleaded for patience but ultimately agreed to take two pickups full of packages and water to their neighborhood.
President Enrique Pena Nieto who was closely overlooking the rescue operations said that the authorities are making attempts to re-establish supplies of water and food and provide medical attention to those who need it. He also promised that the government would build rebuild the broken homes.