Death toll in Mexico, Guatemala quake rises to 4

TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ, Mexico – The death toll from a strong earthquake that rocked a border area between Mexico and Guatemala has risen to four, authorities said Tuesday, July 8.

The 6.9-magnitude quake struck the Pacific coast of Mexico’s Chiapas state on Monday, July 7, injuring about 150 people in the two countries.

The latest known fatality was a 74-year-old man who died when his house collapsed in the city of Huixtla near the border with Guatemala, said Luis Manuel Garcia, regional director for civil protection.

Two other men in the city also were killed by collapsing walls.

A total of 37 people were hurt in Mexico, Garcia added, without specifying the severity or nature of the injuries.

In Guatemala, officials had previously reported that a newborn baby died in a hospital when part of a ceiling caved in.

On Tuesday, officials raised the number of injured to 113.

President Otto Perez declared a major disaster in the seven departments on the border with Mexico, a move that eases the way for the delivery of aid to those in need. – Rappler.com