UPDATE - Powerful magnitude 7.1 quake rattles Mexico City

ADDS DEATH TOLL, DETAILS

By Canberk Yuksel

NEW YORK (AA) – A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Mexico City on Tuesday, killing dozens and causing widespread panic.

It struck on the anniversary of the 1985 tremor that left more than 10,000 dead and destroyed a large part of the city.

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

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake’s epicenter was 76 miles (122 kilometers) southeast of Mexico City in the state of Puebla at a depth of 32 miles (51 km).

According to media reports, at least 42 people died in the state of Morelos and 11 in Puebla. One report put the death toll as high as 67.

Posts on social media showed some buildings collapsing, swaying or shaking and a fire and explosion in the capital.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his support on Twitter.

"God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you," he said.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, who was traveling when the quake struck, said in a tweet that he was immediately returning to Mexico City to address the situation.

A magnitude 8.2 earthquake in Mexico on Sept. 8 killed nearly 100 people and damaged thousands of homes, leaving roughly 2.5 million residents in need of aid.

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