7.1 magnitude quake kills 250 as buildings crumble in Mexico

AP|

Updated: Sep 20, 2017, 06.08 AM IST

MEXICO CITY: A magnitude 7.1 earthquake stunned central Mexico on Tuesday, killing at least 119 people as buildings collapsed in plumes of dust. Thousands fled into the streets in panic, and many stayed to help rescue those trapped.

Dozens of buildings tumbled into mounds of rubble or were severely damaged in densely populated parts of Mexico City and nearby states. Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said buildings fell at 44 places in the capital alone as high-rises across the city swayed sickeningly.

The quake is the deadliest in Mexico since a 1985 quake on the same date killed thousands. It came less than two weeks after another powerful quake caused 90 deaths in the country's south.

Mexico City's mayor said at least 30 died in the capital, and officials in Morelos state, just to the south, said 54 died there.

At least 26 others died in Puebla state, state disaster prevention chief Carlos Valdes said. Gov. Alfredo del Mazo said at least nine died in the State of Mexico, which also borders the capital.

Mancera said 50 to 60 people were rescued alive by citizens and emergency workers in Mexico City.

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