Mexico: Huge earthquake topples buildings, killing more than 200

scene of mexico quake

A strong earthquake has struck central Mexico, killing more than 200 people and toppling dozens of buildings in the capital, Mexico City.

President Enrique Peña Nieto said more than 20 children had died and 30 were missing after a school collapsed.

The 7.1 magnitude quake also caused major damage in neighbouring states.

The tremor struck shortly after many people had taken part in an earthquake drill, exactly 32 years after a quake killed thousands in Mexico City.

The country is prone to earthquakes and earlier this month an 8.1 magnitude tremor in the south left at least 90 dead.

§  Live updates

§  In pictures: Huge earthquake

What is the death toll across Mexico?

The epicentre of the latest quake was near Atencingo in Puebla state, about 120km (75 miles) from Mexico City, with a depth of 51km, the US Geological Survey said.

An earlier death toll of nearly 250 was lowered to 216 by the country’s national co-ordinator for civil protection:

§  Morelos state: 71 dead

§  Puebla state: 43 dead

§  Mexico City: 86 dead

§  Mexico state: 12 dead

§  Guerrero: 3 dead

§  Oaxaca: 1

President Peña Nieto said more than 20 children and two adults had been found dead at the collapsed Enrique Rebsamen school in Mexico City’s southern Coapa district. He said another 30 children and eight adults were missing.BBC

 

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