Transcript for The devastating earthquake that struck Mexico in 1985

Good evening that earthquake off the coast of Mexico has been a massive one it struck early this morning and by tonight large parts of the country which were affected have not been heard from. Because there has been so much damage and because communications are so poor it is simply impossible to estimate how many people have died. Or will die because they can't be rescued in Mexico City alone the numbered of dead is already in the hundreds. The earthquake measured seven point eight on the richter scale its center was about forty miles off the coast on Mexico's Pacific side but people felt it in Houston. More than a thousand miles away. 250. Miles away in Mexico City the damage has been extensive we begin with ABC's bill Blakemore. Mexico City in chaos is what we saw when these first pictures from Mexican television finally began to arrive at midday. Communication from much of the country is completely cut off. OK. I. One long violent tremor did the damage said survivors. Then there were ten aftershocks. There was absolutely reprimand ordered but it it'd be it was a tremendous noise in the building I grabbed my daughter and made my way towards the window and they couldn't grab my wife. It was too late as soon as they jump out the window in the building collapse completely. Floors collapsing down flat. Killing or trapping people inside a and gas fumes from broken lines some catching fire. At 7:18 in the morning many people were still in door. People trapped in collapsed buildings during earthquakes sometimes for days even two or three weeks. So far in Mexico City there's not enough heavy machinery. To pull apart the massive concrete rubble. Mexican president Nikhil Della Madrid pleaded for people to give priority to rescue efforts. Even before worrying about food and shelter for survivors. The first thing that doesn't truly happy days now past few scenes like this began to America. A master given intravenous fluids in an effort to keep him alive but impossible to move slowly because of the tunnel company as his family waiting nearby. At least 35% of the city is reported damage. In Mexican TV announcers began naming families whose members were trying to communicate with each other geniuses. By mid afternoon live TV pictures from Mexico City showed the collapsed ruins of the 230 room hotel Regis which cater to foreign businessmen. On fire. Early reports say thousands of people are missing or trapped. But even rough estimates of those killed in Mexico City alone are not yet possible. What ever that figure the full scope of this disaster is most likely to be much worse. Between Mexico City and the epicenter 250 miles to the southwest lie the Sierra Madre mountains dotted with remote towns. Earthquakes are worse in mountains which of vibrate more than flat land. By late afternoon in Mexico City troops to enforce the state of emergency prevent looting and vital heavy rescue machinery began to arrive. Reports just reaching the capital from at least three Mexican states. Speak of churches and cathedrals collapsing on worshippers during early morning mass Mexico's government is an emergency session. The rescue work just beginning tonight will go on through many nights to cop. Bill Blakemore ABC news.

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