The damaged area that collapsed on May 5, in the century-old parish of San Juan Bautista in Tekax, is in the diagnosis phase. In this old parish, a section of a structural arch fell.
“It was not the cover on the wall that fell, but part of the structure of the arch, so the masses in the temple were suspended”, Bishop Pedro Mena Díaz explained that they are in the diagnosis phase on the parish.
He explained that the arch that fell did not notice its damage, due to several layers of paint that it had such as vinyl, which is elastic, and the internal fracture had not been noticed in the finish.
“It was not noticeable because some adjustments had been made,” said the Bishop.
“That is the first point, that he did not warn of this collapse that occurred. However, this fact has allowed us to review each of the arches, especially those closest to the one that collapsed, and it has been discovered that others are in similar conditions, but that we have time to intervene so that they do not collapse.
“Practically a review of all the arches inside the church is being done,” he added.
The priest indicated that in this arch the use of stones from the south of the State has been detected, but they are not strong enough, even though they have lasted for many years.
“They were not carved stones, made for the place, but rather they were found in the place and were placed with a lime and powder finish. It had a double row of stones and the one that fell is the second part of the width of the arch.
“This section of stones that were joined together with lime and dust fell, it is another construction system.”
After the diagnosis, where there could be other possible events like the one that occurred.
The bishop stated that they are in dialogue with the INAH experts who have advised them very well and it would be redoing everything that fell and he said, the roof that supports the arch must be shored up.
The auxiliary bishop of Yucatán recalled that there are no masses inside the temple for now, then he mentioned that the Tekax church is about 300 years old.
TYT Newsroom
