In response, many government agencies and private business remain closed. Schools and Universities will resume classes Monday nearly a week later than schedule. The legislative assembly building has been severely damaged and congressional sessions are being held in Hotel meeting spaces. Non-governmental organizations working in relief efforts have been in emergency mode for the last 5 days with no end near. The sense of urgency to help the affected compounded with the trauma of living in constant fear of more devastation only escalates the tension and stress.
Earthquakes are a common occurrence, because El Salvador lies right along a major fault line.
Even though earthquakes are common and major quakes likely, El Salvador has no standing emergency plan to deal with Earthquakes. They have no search and rescue teams, dogs trained for recovering humans, or specialized equipment. Hundreds, perhaps several thousand, people were buried, including approximately 40 workers at a construction site on the hilltop. The majority of reported deaths have occurred in this area. This has been the most visible site of the earthquake, being covered in all the major media outlets.