Mexico hit by yet another earthquake in less than a fortnight; at least 149 killed

At least 149 people died after an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 hit southern Mexico on Tuesday morning. The epicentre was 8 kilometres south-east of Atencingo in Puebla state, according to the US Geological Survey. This shallow earthquake occurred at a depth of 51 kilometres. The second earthquake to hit the country in less than two weeks is being estimated to be the deadliest since 1985.

According to the US Geological Survey seismologist Paul Earle, the latest earthquake was too far from the larger quake 12 days ago to be called an aftershock and it appears to be a separate event. Going by the local media reports, five people died in Morelos state, 49 died in Mexico City and 32 were killed in the neighbouring Puebla state.