A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Mexico's central Pacific coast on Monday, killing at least 5 people across various parts of the region and setting off a seismic alarm across the country. Two people were killed in Colima, Mexico and officials say that number will likely rise.
Four high-ranking officials from the governor’s office in Colima, Mexico, were scheduled to visit Pasco beginning Thursday, September 22. The purpose of the visit was to share ideas on economic development, trade relations, arts, and education. The visit has been canceled because of the emergency that has been declared in the state of Colima, and officials need to work on disaster relief.
“We are all saddened by the loss of life and damage caused by Monday’s earthquake in Colima. Considering this tragic event, the planned concert has been changed from a celebration of the Friendship Agreement signing to a fundraiser for those impacted by the Colima earthquake. We will be partnering with the American Red Cross to help distribute contributions where they will do the most help in Colima,” said Pasco Mayor Blanche Barajas.
SYMPHONY CONCERT WILL GO ON AS PLANNED
Despite the cancellation, the concert performance by the Mid-Columbia Symphony that is scheduled for Saturday, September 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pasco Farmers Market will continue as planned. The show is free and open to the public. It’s suggested you bring your lawn chair and get to the market early. Show organizers want to use the concert to help raise awareness about the earthquake and raise disaster relief funds for the Colima region. Tenor Jose Iniguez who is producing the Symphony Concert has family in Colima and has been planning this production for 3 months. He says this concert will take on additional meaning.
“I am appreciative of the COPA organization and the City of Pasco for its continued support for the people of Colima. On behalf of the artists and production crew, we will be playing and singing with more purpose and resolve as we perform for all who have been affected by this natural disaster,” said Iniguez. “We talked about this with the COPA board, and we felt as a city, continuing with the concert would be a good opportunity to raise awareness about the earthquake in Mexico. Additionally, it can help raise funds for those in need. What we’re hearing from the governor’s office in Colima is a tremendous amount of their infrastructure has been damaged, along with the electrical grid. Currently, we are working out ways people can donate online and at the concert. Once that’s set, we will get the word out to our residents. We have thousands of people in Pasco with ties to Colima so we want to help any way we can in the relief efforts,” said Pasco Economic Development Manager Mike Gonzalez.
PRESS CONFERENCE & TOUR
A press conference is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Thursday, September 22, at the Red Lion in Pasco will remain in place. Thursday’s tour of educational facilities in Pasco and the Tri-Cities will also remain in place. The Friday and Saturday tours have been altered to accommodate the new schedule.
“Colima’s Official Conductor Miguel Angel Alatorre and Singer Mariana del Rocio Corona Delgado arrived in Pasco early and they will be taking the place of the four delegates for many of the scheduled tours. Both artists have families in Colima who’ve been affected by the earthquake, but they felt strongly about remaining in Pasco and representing the Colima government, “ said COPA President Gabriel Portugal. “We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from Colima, Mexico. While the tone of the concert will change, it’s impact will not. We think it’s going to be an incredible event for Pasco to witness a groundbreaking event, while at the same time helping the people of Colima,” said Gonzalez.
ABOUT THE COPA ORGANIZATION: The Colima-Pasco Friendship & Collaboration Association (COPA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that was formed 4 years ago. The group visited the state of Colima in 2019 on an economic development mission.
For more information, visit COPA's Facebook page.