Mexico 🇲🇽 rushes aid 🏥 to millions of quake victims

A powerful earthquake that struck Mexico last week has left some 2.5 million people in need of aid and killed 96 others, authorities said on Monday, as officials rushed to get food and water to afflicted communities in the poor south.

Murat said one million people in Oaxaca needed food, water, electricity and help rebuilding damaged homes, while in neighbouring Chiapas state, which was closest to the epicentre of the temblor, 1.5 million people were affected, according to officials.

The defence and navy ministries organised an airlift to Oaxaca and Chiapas and were bringing in heavy machinery to remove rubble, presidency spokesman Eduardo Sanchez told Televisa network.

He acknowledged the distribution of food and shelter is complicated as both regions are mountainous and the worst-hit areas were "very difficult to reach".

Pena Nieto's spokesman said the president would supervise the delivery of food aid and blankets during his trip to the region, but did not specify where.

UCJ, UNILORIN.