Death toll rises after Mexico rocked by huge earthquake

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 has rocked central Mexico and its capital, killing at least 224 people and destroying buildings.

According to the US geological survey, the epicentre was located in Puebla state, just south of Mexico City.

It struck around lunchtime sending thousands running into the streets in panic.

President Enrique Peña Nieto flew over the area to survey the damage:

“At this moment we have an emergency in Mexico City and we are going to focus our operational presence in the capital.”

The death toll has been rising steadily so far it is around 150 with the authorities fearing that will rise due to the region being so densely populated.

Toppled buildings

Hundreds of volunteers and rescue workers have been digging through the rubble with picks, shovels and their bare hands.

Schools have been closed and around four million people are without electricity.

The earthquake comes on the 32 anniversary of the devastating 1985 tremor that left 10,000 people dead.