In photos: 20 years on from 1985's 8.0 trembler, Mexico hit by 7.2 magnitude quake

20 September 2017, 15:41 IST

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 hit Mexico City, killing at least 248 people, including 72 in Morelos, 117 in Mexico City and 43 in Puebla. The country was hit by another major quake (measuring 8.1 magnitude) just two weeks prior, that had killed dozens and injured thousands.

The epicentre of Tuesday’s quake was in Puebla, South-East of the capital Mexico City. According to the officials, as many as 44 buildings collapsed in Mexico City alone. Additionally, roughly 4.6 million homes and businesses in the districts of Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala suffered power outages due to the quake.

Rescue and aid work is currently underway as locals are still looking for their missing loved ones under the rubble. Some have resorted to Twitter to post pleas regarding missing family members in the hopes of receiving any news of the same.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has appealed for calm, while U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted saying: “God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you.”

As the country struggles to come to terms with the tragedy, here are some pictures from the devastation and chaos left behind by the quake:

AFP PHOTO / Ronaldo SCHEMIDTPeople react as a real quake rattles Mexico City on 19 September, 2017 moments after an earthquake drill was held in the capital.

Christian Palma/Getty ImagesRescuers and residents look for victims amid the ruins of a building knocked down by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted central Mexico damaging buildings, knocking out power and causing alarm throughout the capital.

AFP PHOTO / Ronaldo SCHEMIDTPeople react after a quake rattled Mexico City on 19 September, 2017.

Carlos Tischler/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWreckage of a building knocked down by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted central Mexico damaging buildings, knocking out power and causing alarm throughout the capital on 19 September, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Carlos Tischler/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesRescuers are seen during the helping people after 7.1 earthquake occurred in Mexico City on 19 September, 2017

AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRescuers, firefighters, policemen, soldiers and volunteers remove rubble and debris from a flattened building in search of survivors after a powerful quake in Mexico City on 19 September, 2017.

AFP PHOTO / Pedro PardoAn injured woman is helped after a powerful quake in Mexico City on 19 September, 2017.

AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRescuers search for survivors buried under the rubble and debris of a building flattened by a 7.1-magnitude quake in Mexico City on 19 September, 2017.