At least 26 people, including 21 children, died at a primary school which collapsed in Mexico City during September 19 earthquake, the Mexican government says.
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed at least 225 people in total and caused major damage across states in the center of Mexico.
Desperate searches for survivors under the rubble are continuing.
Dozens of buildings collapsed, including several churches where worshippers were killed.
The quake struck shortly after many people had taken part in an earthquake drill, exactly 32 years after another quake killed thousands in Mexico City.
Mexico is prone to earthquakes and earlier this month an 8.1 magnitude tremor in the south left at least 90 people dead.
Though it struck a similar region, September 19 earthquake does not appear to be connected with the quake on September 7, which was at least 30 times more energetic.
Enrique Rébsamen primary school collapsed in Mexico City’s southern Coapa district.
Confirming the death toll, Education Minister Aurelio Nuño said 11 people had been rescued while two children and an adult were missing.
Local media had reported a higher death toll earlier.
More than 500 members of the army and navy, along with 200 police officers and volunteers, have been working at the site, Milenio newspaper writes.
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said after visiting the rescue operation: “Some voices have been heard.
“In the time I have been here, I have seen how at times they have asked for total silence, solidarity to listen for the voices.”
At least 209 schools were affected by the quake, 15 of which have suffered severe damage.
The epicenter of the latest quake was near Atencingo in Puebla state, about 75 miles from Mexico City, with a depth of 38 miles, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says.
The prolonged tremor hit at 13:14 local time on September 19 and sent thousands of residents into the streets.
Most of the victims died in the capital. According to government figures, 94 died in Mexico City, 71 in Morelos state, 43 in Puebla state, 12 in Mexico state, 4 in Guerrero, 1 in Oaxaca.
A powerful earthquake has struck off Mexico’s southern coast killing at least six people.
The 8.1-magnitude tremor was described by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto as the country’s strongest in a century.
Another person also died in neighboring Guatemala, the president has said.
The earthquake, measured at 8.1 by the US Geological Survey (USGS) but higher by Mexico, struck in the Pacific, about 54 miles south-west of Pijijiapan.
A tsunami warning has been issued for Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras.
The earthquake was felt in Mexico City, with buildings swaying and people running into the street. The tremors there, about 1,000km from the epicenter, were reported to have lasted up to a minute.
President Enrique Peña Nieto said some 50 million Mexicans would have felt the tremor and that the death toll might rise.
Four deaths were reported in Mexico’s Chiapas state, near the epicenter, and two more in Tabasco state.
Severe damage was reported in southern Mexico and in western Guatemala.
Social media images showed collapsed buildings in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, including in the city of the same name and in Juchitan, where the municipal palace was leveled.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that tsunami waves “reaching more than three meters above the tide level are possible along the coasts of Mexico”. There is a coastal evacuation in Chiapas state.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 70km, the USGS said.
At magnitude 8.1, the quake outstrips the deadly 1985 tremor that hit close to Mexico City and caused thousands of deaths.
The Mexican interior ministry has given the latest quake a higher magnitude, of 8.4.
More than 10 aftershocks ranging from 4.3 to 5.7 in magnitude have been recorded closer to the Mexican coast, off the town of Paredon.
President Peña Nieto warned there might be more.
He also said the Salina Cruz refinery on the southern coast had temporarily suspended operations.
Schools have been closed in 11 Mexican states.
Some electricity cuts have been reported in the capital and social media video showed lampposts swaying violently, but there are no reports of major damage there.
Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales appealed for calm on national TV and in a Twitter post.
“We have reports of some damage and the death of one person, even though we still don’t have exact details,” Associated Press quoted Jimmy Morales as saying.
No tsunami warning has been issued for the US west coast.
Mexico is currently also being threatened on its eastern coast by Hurricane Katia.
The category one hurricane is about 300km south-east of Tampico and has sustained winds of 140km/h the National Hurricane Center says.
This website has updated its privacy policy in compliance with EU GDPR 2016/679. Please read this to review the updates about which personal data we collect on our site. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our updated policy. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
