MEXICO CITY _ A new earthquake sent Mexico City residents streaming onto the streets early Saturday, creating more alarm in a country still trying to recover from two powerful earthquakes over the past three weeks.
The U.S. Geological Survey said Saturday's magnitude 6.1 earthquake, which hit just before 8 a.m., was centered about 12 miles southeast of Matias Romero in the state of Oaxaca, the region that took the brunt of the magnitude 8.1 quake Sept. 7.
There were no immediate reports of major new damage or casualties in the Mexican capital, but there appeared to be some in Oaxaca, including a downed bridge and further damage to homes and other structures already tottering since the earlier quake.
In Mexico City, officials temporarily suspended rescue operations that have been ongoing since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the capital on Tuesday.
That quake killed 300 dead and left multitudes homeless, while damaging thousands of buildings in Mexico City and neighboring states.
The earlier Sept. 7 quake killed nearly 100, mostly in Oaxaca and neighboring Chiapas state.
Saturday's earthquake was probably an aftershock of the Sept. 7 quake, Mexican officials said.
Authorities have registered more than 4,000 aftershocks from the Sept. 7 quake, but Saturday's appeared to be the strongest.
Quake alarms sounded throughout Mexico City Saturday, and spooked residents dashed from homes and hotels. Many remain on edge here since Tuesday's devastating quake.
Outside, electrical cables shook and some buildings swayed.
"People are paranoid, nervous, they don't know if they can stay at home in any moment or have to run out," said Mayela Ruiz, one of a number of volunteers handing out food, clothing and other basics in the Condesa district, which was extensively damaged in Tuesday's quake. "One's feelings go from panic to nervousness in a moment."
Emergency workers have been searching the ruins of at least eight collapsed buildings in the capital for survivors. They must sift through fragile piles of rubble that can pose a danger of collapsing anew.
At least 30 people are believed to be missing in the rubble, Mexico City Mayor Angel Mancera told Mexican television. He and other officials have said rescue work would continue until everyone is accounted for, even as chances of survival in the rubble dim as time passes.
About 3,000 structures in Mexico City suffered damage and close to 40 buildings collapsed in Tuesday's quake, authorities have said.
