Near Mapastepec and Chiapas, Mexico, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck, followed by two 4.8 magnitude earthquakes Sept. 28, at 11 p.m. Around 400 people are dead so far, and many more are missing. It has been labeled “one of Mexico’s most costly natural catastrophes” by CNN.com.  As well as those areas, it also hit home for some local families.

Senior Maria Leon has family in the area impacted by the earthquakes. When she heard the news, she felt frustrated. At first, she did not have a way to communicate with them to know if they were fine.

“They are ok now, but I [couldn’t reach] them at the time,” Leon said. “That passed, and [our family] is ok.”

Some students, such as senior Andrea Olvera, had family friends but not direct relatives in the area.

“[The people we know in the area] are not completely family, but we consider them our family,” Olvera said.

Even though her family friends lost their homes, she said they are all ok. Her own family is unaffected.

“It’s not much of a difference for [my family], because we are here,” Olvera said.