Mexico: 150 die in an earthquake of 7.1 magnitude; rescue operation underway

Mexico: 150 die in an earthquake of 7.1 magnitude; rescue operation underway

A powerful earthquake shook central Mexico on Tuesday, collapsing buildings in plumes of dust and killing at least 149 people. Thousands fled into the streets in panic, and many stayed to help rescue those trapped. PIC: First responders work on removing the rubble of a collapsed building looking for survivors trapped underneath. Dozens of buildings tumbled into mounds of rubble or were severely damaged in densely populated parts of Mexico City and nearby states. Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said buildings fell at 44 places in the capital alone as high-rises across the city swayed sickeningly. PIC: Rescuers, firefighters, policemen, soldiers and volunteers remove rubble and debris from a flattened building in search of survivors. The quake is the deadliest in Mexico since a 1985 quake on the same date killed thousands. It came less than two weeks after another powerful quake caused 90 deaths in the country's south. PIC: Volunteers search a building that collapsed after an earthquake, in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City.  The federal government declared a state of disaster in Mexico City, freeing up emergency funds. President Enrique Pena Nieto said he had ordered all hospitals to open their doors to the injured. PIC: Volunteers search a building that collapsed after an earthquake, in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City.  At one site, reporters saw onlookers cheer as a woman was pulled from the rubble. Rescuers immediately called for silence so they could listen for others who might be trapped. PIC: The body of woman hangs crushed by a collapsed building in the neighborhood of Roma Norte, in Mexico City. The quake sent people throughout the city fleeing from homes and offices, and many people remained in the streets for hours, fearful of returning to the structures. Electricity and cellphone service was interrupted in many areas and traffic was snarled as signal lights went dark. PIC: Volunteers search a building that collapsed after an earthquake, in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City.

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