Bay Area relatives desperate to reach their loved ones in Mexico after deadly 7.1M quake
AzenithSmith/KTVU - In the Bay Area, many people are desperate to reach loved ones and family members in Mexico following the devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake. The Mexican Consulate in San Jose is urging people to be patient since the electricity is down and millions are without power.
The images are terrifying and the timing is surreal. 32 years to the day, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake rocked Mexico city killing thousands of people and as citizens conducted drills to commemorate its anniversary, another quake hits.
“I think for us for all of us it's very shocking,” said Deputy Consul General Jazmin Amezcua. “It’s a city rich in culture, in history, in food. The food is awesome there so it's very painful to see Mexico City now.”
Amezcu spent the day contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while also trying to contact her family in Mexico City, unable to get a hold of her mother.
“It’s not easy,” said Amezcua. “I have to be here working. I haven't had lunch. I’m trying to be patient, to follow the news to share with the community what's the best way we can behave now in these times.”
The 7.1 quake toppled dozens of buildings and the death toll is rising.
“The videos yes it's really disturbing for us,” said Eduardo Lopez of San Jose. “It’s difficult to come into work and try to keep working.”
Lopez grew up in Mexico City and said it's difficult to be far away. He’s gotten a hold of his family through Facebook Messenger. While they're okay, he's worried his friends may be trapped in the rubble.
“Maybe I have friends under the buildings or something and that's difficult because you don't know,” said Lopez. “I tried to call but some people don't answer me.”
He’s grateful for the rescue workers and everyday citizens searching through the destruction bringing the injured to hospitals. The earthquake comes two weeks after 90 people died in an 8.1 magnitude earthquake that shook the southern coast of Mexico.
“I”m pretty concerned because a lot of things are happening in Mexico right now,” said Elizabeth Nino of Salinas.
“The aftermath is still the hardest part of an earthquake so we are not sure what is going to be at the end of the day,” said Amezcua. “It is not easy.”
The Mexican Consulate said for people in the Bay Area trying to reach loved ones there is a 24/7 hotline set up. The number is 1-855-463-6395. Once authorities assess the damage there, the San Jose office will determine what local aid they can provide.