Irish man describes Mexican quake: ‘I thought the building might collapse’

People trapped under rubble texting relatives for help

Rescuers search for survivors after the Mexican quake. Photograph: AFP/Ronaldo Schemidt
Rescuers search for survivors after the Mexican quake. Photograph: AFP/Ronaldo Schemidt

Irish man Adrian Freeney, who lives in an apartment in the centre of Mexico city, has told of how people trapped under rubble are texting friends and relatives after a powerful earthquake.

"It started with a little rocking and then suddenly it just got more and more violent. It wasn't a moment of impact, it just built up. I don't know how long it lasted, probably a couple of minutes," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Wednesday.

“All the doors opened, I thought my computer was going to slam to the floor. I got down on the ground. I thought the building might collapse.”

Mr Freeney left his apartment to find the street was filled with glass and rubble.

READ SOME MORE

“The streets were packed, absolutely packed. Everybody was out there and then the sirens started soon afterwards, they’ve been going on for about 12 hours now,” he said.

"My wife's Facebook is full of people posting their missing relatives, a lot of people are under rubble sending messages saying exactly where they are and that's pretty scary."