MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – Less than two weeks after an 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico along the Pacific Coast, another powerful quake has hit the the nation's capital. This latest earthquake occured this Tuesday, toppling buildings in and around the capital, damaging infrastructure including roads and airports, and resulting in untold devastation.
The earthquake registered a 7.1 magnitude with an epicenter near Raboso less than 100 miles outside Mexico City, according to a USA Today report.
Initial reports noted damage to many structures, with residents taking to the streets to avoid debris and driving traffic to a standstill. Property damage, injuries, and fatalities were widely reported throughout the city and surrounding areas.
President Enrique Peña Nieto tweeted Tuesday afternoon that he had rerouted a flight to Oaxaca to return to the nation’s capital and deal with the effects of the quake. And Peña Nieto has continued to report on the work being to alleviate the effects of the disaster. The New York Times noted that the President has convened the country’s National Emergency Committee to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
The earthquake occurred on the anniversary of a 1985 quake which, USA Today noted, devastated the city and destroyed 100,000 homes.
The effects of the earthquake are still in the initial stages of being assessed and AndNowUKnow will continue to report with updates as they occur.
