Following the severe earthquake in Mexico on 19 September, German construction experts tested the stability of more than one hundred buildings. The civil engineers and construction consultants from the aid organisation I.S.A.R. Germany and the humanitarian aid department of the German Rescue Dog Association (BRH) inspected residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, hospitals and government buildings in Mexico City, Miacatlán and Ticumán (both in the state of Morelos).
Around half of the buildings showed clear structural damage. Load-bearing elements were severely affected by the earthquake. The team of experts recommended that these houses should no longer be entered.
"Many people have lost all their possessions as a result," says civil engineer Torgen Mörschel. Many had no insurance and were now left with nothing. However, it would not have been justifiable to open up these badly damaged buildings again. "In many cases, another slight earth tremor is probably enough to bring these houses down." The results of the I.S.A.R. building experts' assessments were passed on to the Mexican Civil Defence. They will now decide how to proceed.
Bioradar was also used twice in Mexico. Among other things, it makes it possible to detect the heartbeat and breathing of people under the rubble. However, no living people could be found in the rubble at either of the two deployment sites.
One ray of hope in the hopeless situation for many people is the massive willingness of the Mexican population to help. Earthquake victims are being provided with food and clothing. "Our team was very impressed by the wave of willingness to help and the solidarity of the population," reports team leader Milton Scheeder. Collection and distribution points were set up all over the city. Helpers distributed drinks and food.
According to Scheeder, the reaction to the involvement of the I.S.AR. team in Mexico. "People kept coming up to us, thanking us and offering help - accommodation, food, interpreting services." The mission in Mexico was also supported by companies from Germany. Audi, for example, which has been operating its own plant in Mexico for a year, provided the emergency vehicles, drivers and security personnel. Lufthansa ensured uncomplicated handling of the expert team's equipment.
The I.S.A.R. Germany team completed its eight-day mission in Mexico on Thursday. It will land at Frankfurt/Main Airport on Friday afternoon.