Transcript for Death toll rises to nearly 300 from Mexico City quake

We turn to the life or death struggle in Mexico City where five days after that earthquake rescue crews are desperately digging through the rubble. Matt Gutman is in Mexico City where Americans are assisting in the search for survivors. Matt, good morning to you. Reporter:paula. This is a scene playing out, heavy machinery moving in, that crane lifting huge chunks of concrete, and you may be able to hear the jackhammers in the background. This is something that nobody here in Mexico City wanted to see because it means this is moving from a rescue to a recovery effort. This morning as rescue workers are still swarming over the ruins of this flattened office building, desperation is setting in. The death toll rising to over 290 people, most of them here in Mexico City. It's been over 24 hours since rescuers digging out tons of rubble by hand pulled anyone out. And with the cruel reality setting in, these people protesting, accusing the Mexican government of moving too slowly and letting their family members die. The rescue effort here has become international. We joined the L.A. County fire search and rescue team with their canines at that same site. They say those six stories collapsed so densely there's no void space and the concern is that nobody could have survived that. They huddled before going in. And within earshot, this tent city of the families of the missing entering their fifth day of waiting. They sat there, praying together. It was right there that we met Faviola. Her brother believed to be trapped. The accommodations where her family have been camping for days, spare. They've been sleeping, sitting on buckets like this. Sitting there she said they needed everyone to see their strength. But I ask her how she koecopes after four case. Then even her steel will snaps. She says her brother is very strong. But amidst the flattened buildings and sagging hopes, there were spikes of national pride. In the rubble of one building rescuers spontaneously singing the Mexican national anthem. ??? ??? now, minutes ago we saw rescuers recover one of the victims. The Mexican government still says there is some hope from the victims but it doesn't have an official list. What has been most impressive here in Mexico is not just the hundreds of rescuers you see behind me but the army, the thousands of volunteers who on their own dime have kept up a steady supply chain of food, water, coffee, supplies for everyone here. Guys. The spirit of solidarity is so nice to see. Matt Gutman, thanks for your reporting from Mexico City this

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