A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit a large section of Guatemala on Wednesday killing nearly 48 people, while hundreds remain missing or injured.
According to a report published in NDTV the quake hit Guatemala at 10.35 a.m. and damage was reported from all but one of the 22 states. The quake was felt as far as Mexico City which is 600 miles away towards the northwest.
President Otto Perez Molina flew to San Marcos, where almost 30 homes collapsed and severe damage took place.
"One thing is to hear about what happened and another thing entirely is to see it," the president told the Associated Press. "As a Guatemalan I feel sad ... to see mothers crying for their lost children."
Many lives were at stake and everyone united to help the ones who were believed to be buried alive due to many collapsed buildings. Over 300 people were at the rescue mission including the firefighters, policemen, and villagers trying to dig through the sand to make an evacuation point in the commercial center of town hoping to rescue the ones buried alive.
A 6-year old boy was also known to be buried alive as he was helping his grandfather at work.
"I want to see Giovanni! I want to see Giovanni! He's not dead. Get him out," His mother Francisca Ramirez, cried out of pain.
Efrain Ramos, a victim of the quake who lost his 6-year old niece, was carrying her body in a tiny casket.
"She is my niece. The little girl died when a wall fell over her," the grieving uncle told a reporter.
The little girl's mother cried in agony while she hugged the coffin wrapped with white lace and tulle.
According to a report in NDTV, President Molina said the government will be paying for the funerals of all the victims in the poor region.
