Earthquake Hits South of Mexico City

Mexico City was rocked by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Friday, with aftershocks still affecting residents late into the night.

Total damage throughout the entire region was still being assessed as of the time of this writing, but the earthquake had sent Mexico City residents into the street, crowding together for safety.

"Understandably people were badly rattled," said Lydia Gregory, Managing Editor—Mexico for travAlliancemedia, "particularly after the extensive damage of last September’s quake. Already images of broken walls are coming in from Oaxaca and I was just informed by a colleague a building collapsed two streets from her own in a Mexico City neighborhood. And, she reported strong aftershocks. So, I’m sure there are more reports to come."

No deaths are being reported due to the earthquake, although a government helicopter surveying the damage reportedly crashed on Friday evening, killing at least 13 people including three children; and injuring at least 16 others.

Evacuation after earthquake alert in Mexico City. pic.twitter.com/frcOmfVSyE

— Leyla Santiago (@leylasantiago) February 17, 2018

Experts originally put the quake’s preliminary magnitude at 7.5 but have since reviewed the data and settled on a 7.2 magnitude. The epicenter was placed 225 miles south of Mexico City in Oaxaca state.

According to the USGS there has been a 7.2 Earthquake in Oaxaca Mexico. pic.twitter.com/T5XTL6r8QA

— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) February 17, 2018

In September of 2017, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake killed 228 people in Mexico City and 369 throughout the nation.

"This is a country," said Gregory, "that has only recently recovered and was looking at an excellent year for tourism. As of right now, we can only hope and pray there was no loss of life and damages were not as brutal as last year."