(Yicai Global) Sept. 20 -- At least 138 people died in a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Morelos in Mexico this week, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, citing Mexican civil defense department info.

The earthquake occurred at 1.14 p.m. yesterday, and its epicenter was located 12 kilometers southwest of Aksuo Chapan with a focal depth of 57 kilometers, the Center for Seismic Instrumentation and Registry. Another quake that occurred on Sept. 7 by the country's coast, 137 kilometers southwest of Tona in Chiapas, killed at least 98.

Strong tremors reached the capital of Mexico City, some districts experienced power outages and all flights were suspended for a time. Mexico City International Airport closed and several houses collapsed in the area.

A violent earthquake struck Mexico on the same date in 1985, killing more than 7,000.

The Chinese embassy in Mexico said that aftershocks are a possibility, and those in the region should monitor its official security alerts.