Central Mexico Rocked By 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake, Hundreds Killed
by Jessica Montevago /
Mexico is reeling after a powerful earthquake killed at least 226 people, just two weeks after an 8.2-magnitude quake struck the country’s southern coast.
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Tuesday afternoon near the Puebla state town of Raboso, about 100 miles from Mexico City, devastating Mexico City and the states of Morelos, Puebla and Mexico. Panicked residents flooded the streets as prolonged tremors shook the region.
De acuerdo a los primeros informes suman 6 muertos en la #CDMX tras #sismo @luisgdigital @LosAdictivos pic.twitter.com/FpMSiEFuF1
— Luis Hernández A. (@lharanda) September 19, 2017
Officials in the capital said at least 44 structures collapsed. Emergency workers continue to search for people trapped underneath the rubble. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
Tuesday's quake falls on the 32nd anniversary of a 1985 earthquake that killed as many as 10,000 people in Mexico. It also comes just two weeks after an 8.2-magnitude struck the country’s Southern coast and left 90 dead.
The Mexico International Airport—the second busiest airport in Latin America and home to AeroMexico, as well as low-cost carriers Interjet and Volaris—reopened at 4 pm local time after suspending operations for several hours. Videos from the scene show a main roadway in front of Terminal 2 buckled.
Mexico City Airport closed due to an earthquake. pic.twitter.com/n7l7nFPhMh
— Ed Oomes (@Rizoomes) September 19, 2017
Airport authorities advised travelers to contact their airlines for details on how the shutdown might affect their reservations.
The Four Seasons Mexico City reported on its Twitter feed that “all guests and employees at the hotel are safe, our premises have been inspected and are well and running.”