The death toll following Mexico’s strongest earthquake in a century has risen to at least 61 as a huge rescue operation in the south of the country continues efforts to free people trapped beneath the rubble.<br /><br />Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said that at least 200 people were injured in the worst hit states of Tabasco, Oaxaca and Chiapas after the 8.1-magnitude quake hit.<br /><br />#Mexico: 61 people confirmed dead after strong earthquake so far. h/t WorldonAlert pic.twitter.com/9M6i5mEm69— Patriot 24/7 (@TrumpTrain45Pac) 8 September 2017<br /><br /><br />The epicentre was roughly 87 km off the southern coast of Mexico, where an enormous slab of rock, known as the Cocos tectonic plate, is driving towards the coast at a rate of 75mm per year.<br /><br />The earthquake caused billions of dollars worth of damage, and with the category 1 hurricane Katia bearing down on the central American state, more difficulties may lie ahead.<br /><br />Local government building in Juchitan, Oaxaca, destroyed by 8.2 earthquake. Before and after photos. cgtnamerica pic.twitter.com/mZ6HVqkE9i— Franc Contreras (FrancMex) 8 September 2017<br /><br /><br />One of the worst affected towns was Juchitán, in Oaxaca, where 17 people were killed and the town hall and other buildings were reduced to rubble.<br /><br />President Nieto, who visited Juchitán on Friday declared a day of mourning, and said that flags would fly at half mast out of respect for the dead.<br /><br />Collapsed building in Juchitan de Zaragoza, state of Oaxaca, after an 8.2 earthquake that hit Mexico’s Pacific coast overnight. #AFP pic.twitter.com/LMtJG773AM— AFPMexico (@AFPMexico) 8 September 2017<br />
