Mexico hit by another earthquake, 6.1 magnitude

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This was published 6 years ago

Mexico hit by another earthquake, 6.1 magnitude

By Patrick J. McDonnell
Updated

Mexico City: A magnitude 6.2 earthquake that shook Mexico on Saturday was blamed for five deaths,

, creating more alarm in a country still trying to recover from two powerful earthquakes over the past three weeks.

The US Geological Survey said Saturday's magnitude 6.1 earthquake, which hit just before 8am, was centred about 21km southeast of Matias Romero in the state of Oaxaca.

Mexico's capital was shattered by a magnitude 7.1 quake on Tuesday that flattened dozens of buildings and killed at least 307 people. The government's response to the disaster is under close scrutiny ahead of a presidential election next year.

People search for survivors in a collapsed building in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City.

People search for survivors in a collapsed building in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City.Credit: Enric Marti

Although the latest quake was not as destructive, fear is running high among the population. Terrified residents crouched and prayed when the alarms went off and two women died of heart attacks as the ground shook, the city government said.

Three people died during Saturday's tremor in Oaxaca, including a man who was attacked by a swarm of bees apparently disturbed by the seismic movement, authorities said.

The earlier quake on 7 September killed nearly 100, mostly in Oaxaca and neighbouring Chiapas state.

Authorities have registered more than 4,000 aftershocks from the 7 September quake, but Saturday's appeared to be the strongest.

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On edge: This latest quake terrified residents of Mexico City.

On edge: This latest quake terrified residents of Mexico City.Credit: AP

"People are paranoid, nervous, they don't know if they can stay at home in any moment or have to run out," said Mayela Ruiz, one of a number of volunteers handing out food, clothing and other basics in the Condesa district, which was extensively damaged in Tuesday's quake.

"One's feelings go from panic to nervousness in a moment."

Emergency workers have been searching the ruins of at least eight collapsed buildings in the capital for survivors. They must sift through fragile piles of rubble that can pose a danger of collapsing anew.

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At least 30 people are believed to be missing in the rubble, Mexico City Mayor Angel Mancera told Mexican television.

Los Angeles Times, AAP

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