Just 2 weeks after an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 killed 90 people in Mexico, a second earthquake rocked the city on Tuesday. At least 225 people have already been confirmed dead. Many are still unaccounted for and it is believed that the death toll will rise.
Rescuer workers and the general public continued through the night on Tuesday to attempt to find survivors trapped in the rubble. Over 40 buildings were leveled, including churches where several worshipers were killed, and schools. Volunteers tried frantically to rescue children from the rubble of one school where 21 children and 4 adults were crushed to death.
The quake struck at around 13:00 local time as was described as heavy with prolonged shaking that lasted about 8 minutes. Thousands of people flooded the streets in an attempt to save themselves in case buildings collapsed. People could be seen sleeping outside their homes with their children, for fear that they may be unsafe should aftershocks occur.
People were attending special memorial services and an earthquake drill was being held in the city to mark the 32nd anniversary of the deadly 1985 earthquake that killed around 10,000 people and injured around 30,000. Just after the memorials the latest quake hit, on the very same day as in 1985.
Volunteers have been bringing food and water to those in need as rescue efforts continue in the hope to find more survivors. Many areas are still without power as people are coming to terms with the shock of what has happened.
Mexico is one of the most seismically active countries in the world and has experienced 19 earthquakes greater than magnitude 6 in the past century alone.
Watch a video of the latest earthquake here.
Louise Carter
