Powerful magnitude 7.1 quake rattles Mexico City

By Canberk Yuksel

NEW YORK (AA) – A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico City on Tuesday, causing panic on the anniversary of the 1985 tremor that killed more than 10,000 people and destroyed a large part of the city.

The powerful quake occurred hours after an annual drill for the earthquake-prone capital city, sending citizens pouring into the streets for a second time after an even stronger quake earlier this month.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the tremor Tuesday was 76 miles (122 kilometers) southeast of Mexico City, in the state of Puebla. The extent of damages caused wasn't immediately clear.

A magnitude 8.2 earthquake in Mexico on Sept. 8 killed almost 100 people and damaged thousands of houses, leaving an estimated 2.5 million residents in need of aid.

That earthquake was said to be stronger than the one in 1985.