7.4 Earthquake Rattles Mexico

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit central and southern Mexico today, collapsing at least 60 homes near the epicenter and a pedestrian bridge in the capital where people fled shaking office buildings in fear. One of the strongest to shake Mexico since the deadly 1985 temblor that killed thousands in Mexico City, today's earthquake sent fear and panic across the region, especially after a less powerful, magnitude-5.1 aftershock was felt in the capital and several other aftershocks around the borders of Oaxaca and Guerrero near the epicenter. But hours after the shaking at noon local time, there were still no reports of death or serious injury

Police radio operator Marcos Marroquin said there were preliminary reports of 60 houses damaged in the municipality but only a report of a broken arm. In Mexico City, frightened workers and residents poured into the streets of the capital. Telephone service was down in the city, and some neighborhoods were without power, according to Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard. President Obama's oldest daughter, Malia, was reported and safe while on vacation with a school group in Oaxaca. (More earthquake stories.)