Earthquake-hit Mexico struck by 6.1 aftershock

By Canberk Yuksel

NEW YORK

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Saturday in Mexico, in the wake of two major temblors earlier this month which killed nearly 400 people.

The earthquake hit 18 kilometers (11 miles) southeast of the town of Matias Romero in the state of Oaxaca, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said. The agency issued an automated yellow alert, predicting that "some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localized."

The earthquake took place close to the epicenter of the Sept. 8 magnitude 8.2 temblor -- the most powerful the country has seen in the last three decades, which killed nearly 100 people. Saturday's earthquake was an aftershock, Mexico's disaster agency said.

About 482 km (300 mi) away in the capital Mexico City, quake alarms sounded off and buildings swayed, sending people rushing out of their homes, according to local reports.

The capital is trying to recover from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake last Tuesday that killed at least 295 people and damaged thousands of buildings.

With half of the deaths occurring in Mexico City, search and rescue efforts continue in the hopes of pulling some of the dozens still missing from under the debris.