Mexico earthquake LIVE: 60 die, buildings collapse in major 7.1 magnitude quake

Mexico was hit with its second major earthquake this month. A 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook buildings and trapped an unknown number of people in Mexico. Here are the latest updates.

IndiaToday.in  | Edited by Dev Goswami
New Delhi, September 20, 2017 | UPDATED 03:24 IST
Damages are seen after an earthquake hit in Mexico City, Mexico September 19, 2017. REUTERS/Claudia DautDamages are seen after an earthquake hit in Mexico City, Mexico September 19, 2017. REUTERS/Claudia Daut

Mexico was today hit with a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake that shook buildings and trapped an unknown number of people.

The quake hit Mexico just hours after many people participated in earthquake drills around the nation on the anniversary of the devastating quake that killed thousands in Mexico City in 1985.

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake's epicenter was located 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Atencingo in the central state of Puebla. The quake came around a fortnight after a powerful 8.1 temblor killed at least 98 people.

LIVE UPDATES

  • TOP UPDATE: At least 60 peoplehave died in a 7.1 magnitude that hit Mexico today. Buildings have collapsed in several cities and deaths have been reported from different areas, including the capital, Mexico city.
  • A spokesman for the Mexican state of Puebla's interior department says that 11 people have died so far in the central Mexican state following a magnitude 7.1 quake, reports AP. The death toll for Puebla earlier was 2.
  • Mexico state's governor has revised the death toll in his province to 8 from the earlier 5, Reuters is reporting.
  • A video shared on Twitter by a US-based weather journalist shows a building collapse in the aftermath of today's earthquake in Mexico:
  • Reuters is now reporting the Mexico City mayor as saying that at least four people have died in the capital. This would raise the toll to 53, from the earlier 49.
  • The epicenter of today's earthquake was located around 170 kilometers away from the capital, Mexico City. Here's an approximation of the epicenter, courtsey data from the USGS and map from Google:
  • Initial calculations show that more than 30 million people would have felt moderate shaking from Tuesday's quake, reports AP. The agency quotes the US Geological Survey as saying "significant casualty and damage are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread."
  • The earthquake has caused damage in Mexico's capital, Mexico City. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said 27 buildings had collapsed in Mexico City.
  • Videos shared on social media show goosebumps-inducing scenes of buildings shaking and swaying as sires blare in the background.
  • At least 42 people have been killed in the central Mexican state of Morelos, the governor of the region has said, according to Reuters. This is in addition to the at least five people killed in the state of Mexico.
  • Today's earthquake can potentially be catastrophic. Earthquakes of magnitude 7 or above are regarded as major and are capable of causing widespread heavy damage, reports Reuters.
  • US President Donald Trump said on Twitter: "God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you."
  • President Enrique Pena, who was on a flight to the state of Oaxaca, one of the hardest hit areas by the September 7 quake from earlier this month, has said via his Twitter account that he was immediately returning to attend to the quake in Mexico City.
  • Mexico earthquake

    A damaged car is seen outside a building after an earthquake in Mexico City, Mexico September 19, 2017. REUTERS/Claudia Daut

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  • Today's quake hit only hours after many people participated in earthquake drills around the nation on the anniversary of a devastating quake that killed thousands in Mexico City in 1985.

(With inputs from agencies)