MEXICO CITY: A new earthquake sowed panic in Mexico City on Saturday (Sep 23), forcing the suspension of rescue operations to free survivors from the more powerful tremor this week that devastated parts of the capital. The new quake, with a magnitude of 6…
MEXICO CITY: A new earthquake sowed panic in Mexico City on Saturday (Sep 23), forcing the suspension of rescue operations to free survivors from the more powerful tremor this week that devastated parts of the capital.
The new quake, with a magnitude of 6.1, was smaller and farther to the south than the 7.1-magnitude one that struck on Tuesday, killing more than 300 people and toppling 39 buildings in the capital.
But as an alarm sounded, hundreds of residents raced out into the street, some barefoot, some carrying children.
Trauma from the previous quake was evident.
“Oh God, have mercy,” exclaimed Teresa Martinez, 74, who had run out in to the street for safety. She stood with other women, all crying.
Two women died of heart attacks as they tried to leave their homes, according to local media reports. One was in her 80s and the other was 52, according to the website of the daily Reforma.
The quake rattled crockery and made buildings sway, but some didn’t notice.
“This time we didn’t feel the ground move … maybe since the last one we’re getting used to them,” said Pablo Martinez, who had run out of his central apartment building with his 6-year-old daughter in his arms.
The US Geological Survey registered the latest quake at 6.1 magnitude. It struck at 12:53 GMT with an epicentre 18 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of the city of Matias Romero, in the southern state of Oaxaca.
A bridge near the town of Juchitan collapsed, with television images showing it severed and buckled.
ELEVATED RISK
The new tremor sparked concern it could have caused heavy rubble on top of survivors awaiting rescue in the capital to shift – posing a danger both to those trapped and to rescuers.
