At quake's epicenter, water gurgled from ground

[Judi Lynn]

At quake's epicenter, water gurgled from ground
By ELLIOT SPAGAT
The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 6, 2010; 4:04 PM

GUADALUPE VICTORIA, Mexico -- After the ground shook violently, small cracks formed on the rich soil and cement floors. They quickly became big cracks, spouting groundwater.

That's how the Briseno family watched all seven of their homes sink to ruin on a single block, forcing them to sleep in their cars indefinitely.

The family has one of the more dramatic tales of loss from the epicenter of Easter Sunday's 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Mexico that authorities estimate have destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands without safe living quarters. Many are afraid to go inside, whether at home or at work.

"The earth just opened up, like a pencil goes across a sheet of paper, like a stripe goes across the floor," said Diona Garcia Briseno, the oldest of five siblings, who lost a home that she shared with her husband and their two children, 18 and 10.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/06/AR2010040602446.html

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