Mexican Quake Death Toll Rises to 90 as Oaxaca Reports More Fatalities

Women hug while standing next to a destroyed house after an earthquake struck the southern coast of Mexico in Union Hidalgo, Mexico on Sept. 9, 2017. (REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata)

MEXICO CITY—The death toll from the massive earthquake that struck Mexico on Thursday night has risen to at least 90 after emergency services in the southern state of Oaxaca said late on Saturday there had been 71 confirmed fatalities in the state alone.

“It’s 71 (dead). Just for Oaxaca,” said Jesus Gonzalez, a spokesman for the state civil protection authority.

At least 15 people died in the neighboring state of Chiapas, according to local authorities, while another four deaths have also been confirmed in the state of Tabasco to the north.

A man stands amidst the remains of a house after an earthquake struck the southern coast of Mexico in Union Hidalgo, Mexico on Sept. 9, 2017. (REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata)

The 8.1 magnitude quake that struck off the coast of Chiapas on Thursday was stronger than a devastating 1985 temblor that flattened swathes of Mexico City and killed thousands.

Relief efforts in the south continued through Saturday, with many of the people worst affected still wary of returning indoors to weakened buildings, fearing they could be brought down by ongoing aftershocks.

By Dave Graham

A man stands inside of what his left of his home after an earthquake struck the southern coast of Mexico in Union Hidalgo, Mexico on Sept. 9, 2017. (REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata)

A woman stands inside her damaged home after an earthquake struck the southern coast of Mexico in Union Hidalgo, Mexico on Sept. 9, 2017. (REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata)