Central Mexico earthquake kills more than 140, topples buildings
(CNN)Rescuers searched for survivors through the night after Tuesday's powerful earthquake shook Mexico City and surrounding states, killing scores and leaving many trapped under collapsed buildings.
At least 149 people died in Mexico City --- the country's capital -- and in the states of Puebla, Mexico and Morelos, officials said.
The epicenter of the 7.1-magnitude earthquake was 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) east-northeast of San Juan Raboso and 34.1 miles (55 km) south-southwest of the city of Puebla, in Puebla state, according to the US Geological Survey.
President Enrique Peña Nieto said 22 bodies were found in the debris of an elementary school in Mexico City that collapsed due to the earthquake. At least 30 children were still missing Tuesday night, he said.
"We are facing a new national emergency," Peña Nieto told citizens earlier on his first address following the earthquake.
Thousands of soldiers, rescuers and civilians, including college students, were working side by side to dig through tall piles of rubble after dozens of buildings crumbled earlier on Tuesday.
Rescuers and residents carry a woman to safety.
Some carried away buckets full of debris while others called out the names of those who have been rescued. At moments, rescuers asked for total silence as they tried to hear voices coming from under the debris.
The quake left the busiest city in Mexico in chaos. Windows buckled and shattered, falling several stories to the ground while thousands of people streamed into the streets running away from buildings and potential gas leaks.
People struggled to get home when power poles that toppled in the quake blocked the streets and the public transportation system temporarily shut down operations. Nearly 5 million customers were still without power early Wednesday.
Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
A building is damaged in Mexico City on September 19. The earthquake happened 32 years after a magnitude-8.0 earthquake hit on September 19, 1985, killing an estimated 9,500 people in and around Mexico City.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
A woman in Mexico City cries as she tries to reach people on her cell phone after the quake.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
A bulldozer removes debris from a partially collapsed building in Mexico City on September 19.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
Patients from a Mexico City hospital receive treatment outside after the hospital was evacuated on September 19.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
A woman in Mexico City reacts after the quake.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
People remove debris off a building that collapsed in Mexico City.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
A car is crushed by debris in Mexico City on September 19.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
A woman receives medical assistance after she was injured in Mexico City on September 19.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
People stand inside a Mexico City building that collapsed in the quake.
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Photos: Deadly earthquake rocks central Mexico
from a collapsed building in Mexico City after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake hit the region on Tuesday, September 19.
