7.2 Magnitude Earth Quake Jolts Mexico

Mexico City: A strong earthquake shook a large swathe of southern and central Mexico today, triggering the quake alarm system in Mexico City and causing buildings to sway

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the quake, which measured 7.2 in magnitude, according to Mexicos National Seismological Service and the US Geological Survey. Panicked residents flooded into the street, fearing a repeat of two earthquakes last September that caused buildings to collapse and killed 465 people combined.

Also read: Aftershocks Hit Relief Efforts in Taiwan, A Day After Quake

"To be honest, were all pretty upset. We start crying whenever the (earthquake) alarm goes off. Were stressed out, we have flashbacks. So we run out into the street. Its all we can do," 38-year-old publicist Kevin Valladolid told AFP through tears after evacuating from his building in La Roma, in central Mexico City.

On the north side of the city, Julia Hernandez said she felt like she was "in a boat" as the ground swayed beneath her feet. "Is it ever going to stop?" she said. "We live in constant fear, with the memory of what happened" in previous quakes, her daughter added.

Officials in affected states said they were already inspecting buildings damaged by last years quakes, which are especially vulnerable to collapse. "Obviously people are afraid," said the emergency response chief for the city of Puebla, Gustavo Ariza. The latest tremor comes less than six months after last years devastating earthquakes in central and southern Mexico.

On September 7 last year, an 8.2 earthquake shook the nation and killed 96 people, mostly in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. Then on September 19 -- the 32nd anniversary of a huge 1985 quake that killed 10,000 people -- another 7.1 quake rocked the country, leaving 369 people dead.

The US Geological Survey put the latest quakes epicenter 37 kilometers northeast of Pinotepa de Don Luis, in the southwestern state of Oaxaca. The US National Weather service said it was not issuing a tsunami alert.

AFP