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No Existence Of Mexican Girl Trapped In Earthquake, Say Officials

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Tara Khandelwal
New Update

A 12-year-old girl was said to be trapped in a collapsed school building in an earthquake that devastated Mexico City this week. Now, officials say the girl did not exist.

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An elementary school had crumbled after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake. Rescue teams were put to work to free students and teachers trapped in the rubble.

The girl, who had been called Frida Sofia, captured the imagination of the world, as they saw rescue workers try to reach her. Workers said that they had spotted her hand. When they had called out to see if she was alive, she had apparently waved her hand

Now the authorities say that all the children of the school have been accounted for.

A single, adult school worker may still be alive inside the building, Navy Assistant Secretary Angel Enrique Sarmiento, told reporters. "We have done an accounting with school officials and we are certain that all the children either died, unfortunately, are in hospitals, or are safe at their homes," he said.

Nineteen children and six adults passed away in the building. As many as 11 were rescued. There were many rumours that circulated during the 30-hour rescue operation. Parents told the local newspaper that they received Whatsapp messages from trapped children.

Frida Sofia’s family members never materialised.

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"Faced with the force of nature, we are all vulnerable and that is why we all unite when it comes to saving a life or helping a victim," Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto said in a national address.

Second major earthquake in two weeks

The earthquake killed 25 people across the country, and injured 2,000 people. It was the second major earthquake to hit the country in less than two weeks. Mexico City is built on a former lakebed, and the soil is said to amplify the effects of earthquakes even hundreds of miles away.

Also Read: Anita Kundu Becomes The First Indian Woman To Scale Everest From China Side

Picture Credit: Fox News

school earthquake Frida Sophia Mexican girl
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