SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF/AP) — A major earthquake measuring 7.4 in magnitude struck along Mexico’s west coast Tuesday, triggering a tsunami warning stretching from Acapulco to the coast of El Salvador and killing one person in the resort of Huatulco.
Oaxaca state Gov. Alejandro Murat told the Televisa network that he had a preliminary report of one person killed and one injured in a building collapse in Crucecita, part of Huatulco. He did not provide details. Otherwise most reports were of minor damage, he said.
The quake — which was originally tagged to 7.7 magnitude — struck at 8:29 a.m. on the coast southwest of Oaxaca. Almost immediately, the U.S. Tsunami Center issued a warning for coastal communities in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
There was no threat posed to the California coast line.
Breaking: Video shows the ground moving during magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Oaxaca, Mexico. pic.twitter.com/OZzB3ejicU
— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) June 23, 2020
The temblor struck on an a relatively unpopulated area of the Mexican west coast located off the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The nearest village was Santa Maria Zapotitlan located 7 miles away.
But social media was filled with images of toppled store shelved and quake damage in Oaxaca.
Watch : Damage inside a store in #Oaxaca after the 7.4 earthquake hit southern #Mexicopic.twitter.com/Jle4F7ZhUD
— VIDIT MEHROTRA
(@mehrotra2010) June 23, 2020
It appears that roads are being closed in parts of #Oaxaca near some building damage. #Earthquake #Mexico pic.twitter.com/2mPiYb7bSf
— roberto pedone (@zerosum24) June 23, 2020
Another video 7.5 #earthquake #Terremoto #Temblor #Sismo #Oaxaca #Mexico
pic.twitter.com/2HXIAq77th
— Angel Elemiah (@MaximoSPQR) June 23, 2020
A 7.4 magnitude #earthquake has hit the southern coastline of #Mexico. #Sismo #Temblor #Oaxaca #CDMX #AlertaSismica pic.twitter.com/doiICbJHuy
— DailyNewsf (@DailyNe25683877) June 23, 2020
Hundreds of miles away in Mexico City, buildings swayed and thousands scrambled into the streets.
Footage from Mexico City after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck near the Mexican state of Oaxaca#Mexico pic.twitter.com/NAeR1j1ca3
— CNW (@ConflictsW) June 23, 2020
Seismic alarms sounded midmorning with enough warning for residents to exit buildings. Power was knocked out to some areas, but there were not immediately reports of damage or injuries.
Helicopters flew over downtown Mexico City and police patrols sounded their sirens.
In Huatulco, a laid-back beach destination known for surfing and small protected coves, the earthquake knocked goods off shelves and some rubble from buildings.
Mari González of the Princess Mayev hotel in Huatulco said staff and guests were able to evacuate the building before the quake, but that 45 minutes after the initial quake they were still outside as strong aftershocks continued.
“It was strong, very strong,” she said.
González said there was some visible broken glass and mirrors, but no major damage. The staff was waiting for the aftershocks to dissipate before fully evaluating the property.
Local news media reported damage to some buildings in the state capital, Oaxaca city. State officials said they were looking for damage.
The USGS estimated that some 2 million people felt strong or moderate shaking and another 49 million felt weak or light shaking.
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