At least 10 people killed, 60 injured after church collapses during Mass, Mexican officials say

At least 10 people are dead and around 60 more are injured after the roof of a church collapsed during Sunday Mass in eastern Mexico, officials said as first responders poured through the debris into Monday morning as they searched for survivors and victims. 

About 30 parishioners were believed to have been trapped underneath the rubble after the roof caved in, officials said, according to The Associated Press. About 100 people were inside the church when the building collapsed, the Tamaulipas state police said.

On Monday, the state security spokesman’s office confirmed 10 deaths from the collapse in the Gulf coast city of Ciudad Madero, and said that 23 of the 60 injured remain hospitalized, including 2 people in serious condition.

Bishop José Armando Alvarez of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tampico said the roof caved in while people were receiving communion at the church, which is located near the port city of Tampico.

At least three of the deceased were children, officials said, and several other children were injured, including a 4-month-old baby, three 5-year-olds and two 9-year-olds. The number of young victims may have been because baptisms were about to occur at the church. 

"We lament the painful loss of people who were there celebrating the baptism of their children," Alvarez said.

The diocese also said there were still signs of hope despite the tragedy. 

"From underneath the rubble, thanks to Divine Providence and the work of the rescue teams, people have been pulled out alive!" the diocese said. "Let’s keep praying!"

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