Covenant News

Covenant Missionaries Safe Following Mexican Earthquake

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO (January 22, 2003) - All Evangelical Covenant Church missionaries are reported as safe and unharmed following an earthquake last night that was felt throughout western and central Mexico, Covenant News Service has learned.

That news comes from David and Wendy Mark, region coordinators for Latin America, and Byron Amundsen, coordinator of missionary services for the Department of World Mission.

The Associated Press reported this morning that more than 20 people died as a result of the earthquake, which hit the state of Colima at 8 p.m. Tuesday and interrupted electrical and telephone service throughout the region. Some died when portions of office and residential buildings collapsed near the center of Colima. Reports state that Mexico City (Mexico's largest city) suffered far less damage.

Colima is located about 300 miles west of Mexico City. Sources have estimated the magnitude of the quake between 7.6 and 7.8. The government has declared a state of emergency in Colima.

More information will be published in this news report as it becomes available.

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