Powerful quake strikes Mexico, tsunami alert dropped
by Victor Ruiz with Yussel Gonzalez in Mexico City
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico on Tuesday leaving five people dead but an initial tsunami warning was later reversed.
The epicenter was near Crucecita, in the southeastern state of Oaxaca, with shock waves felt as far away as Mexico City, some 700 kilometers (430 miles) distant, where it sent frightened residents rushing into the streets.
All the deaths occurred in Oaxaca. A woman died near Crucecita, and four other people died in towns located within 150 kilometers of the epicenter, officials said.
The US Geological Survey reported that the quake struck with a magnitude of 7.4, at a depth of 23 kilometers. After initially publishing a reading of 7.1, the Mexican Seismological Service revised its figure to 7.5.
“It’s confirmed it was a 7.5 magnitude. Fortunately there’s no damage, in any case we’re going to continue to call for caution as there may be aftershocks and we must all take care without worrying,” said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in a video published on social media.
“Strategic installations didn’t suffer any damage, that is to say, ports, airports, refineries, hydroelectric plants, everything is in a good condition,” said Lopez Obrador after speaking to David Leon, the national coordinator of Mexico’s Civil Protection force.
Mexican Oil said its refinery in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca had been shut down as a precaution after a fire broke out “that was immediately stifled.”
A worker at the refinery was killed after falling off a high structure. Other refineries in the state are operating as normal.
The quake also caused slight damage to four hospitals and a clinic, as well as to churches, markets and other buildings, authorities said.
Six hours after the quake, 447 aftershocks had been recorded across the region, the strongest at 4.6 magnitude.
“We had to leave because there is a risk that the market will collapse. We are hardly selling anything because of the pandemic and now if the market is closed we will have a worse time,” said Juana Martinez, 60, a flower-seller in Oaxaca city.
The US Pacific Tsunami warning center initially said hazardous waves as high as three meters could strike anywhere within 1,000 kilometers of the quake’s epicenter, affecting the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central and South America.
However, a few hours later it said the threat had “largely passed.” (AFP)
