MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) – The death toll from Tuesday's earthquake that levelled buildings in central Mexico has risen to 273, the nation’s foreign minister said Thursday.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Luis Videgaray Caso said there were many collapsed buildings and injured people in the capital, Mexico City, and other areas in central states.
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announced Tuesday that at least 44 buildings — homes, schools and office buildings — had toppled after the quake.
Following the destructive quake, Washington announced that US President Donald Trump had spoken with his Mexican counterpart and offered assistance in rescue efforts.
As a Mexican I am heartbroken but also I couldn't be more proud of the response of the people getting together to help #fuerzaMexico pic.twitter.com/LcsZyQOak9
— Laura Rojas (@laura_rojaslpz) September 20, 2017
Thats the spirit,
— Mask (@Mr_LoLwa) September 20, 2017
Before a misfortune this is where the true human quality is seen!#FuerzaMexico #mexicoearthquake pic.twitter.com/No0SjdsSiA
On Wednesday, Russian Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov offered to the Mexican Interior Ministry any earthquake relief assistance. Mexican Foreign Affairs Minister Luis Videgaray Caso told Sputnik on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that Mexico is ready to receive assistance from Russia.
"We are extremely thankful to Russia, to President [Vladimir] Putin, for the offer of help that Russia is about to send to Mexico," Caso said. "Of course, we are ready to accept the help from Russia and from any other nation that is willing to help not only in the urgent moment of rescue and recovery, but also for the reconstruction."