A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck central Mexico on 19 September 2017, killing 370 people and collapsing over 40 buildings across Puebla, Morelos, and Mexico City.
Key Facts
- Magnitude
- 7.1 Mw
- Deaths
- 370 people
- Injuries
- More than 6,000 people
- Buildings collapsed
- More than 40 buildings
- Deaths in Mexico City
- 228 people
- Epicenter distance from Puebla
- ~55 km south of Puebla city
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Seismic activity in the tectonically active region of central Mexico produced a sudden rupture approximately 55 km south of the city of Puebla. The earthquake struck just two hours after a national earthquake drill commemorating the devastating 1985 Mexico City earthquake, which had killed around 10,000 people on the same date thirty-two years prior.
On 19 September 2017 at 13:14 CDT, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck central Mexico with strong shaking lasting approximately 20 seconds. The quake caused widespread structural damage across the states of Puebla and Morelos and throughout the Greater Mexico City area, including the collapse of more than 40 buildings.
The earthquake killed 370 people, including 228 in Mexico City alone, and injured more than 6,000 others. It occurred just twelve days after the larger 2017 Chiapas earthquake and prompted significant emergency response and rescue operations across the affected Mexican states.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 370 (earthquake)