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As it happenedended

Mexico earthquake: At least one dead after powerful tremors rock capital city and Oaxaca as tsunami warning lifted

7.4 magnitude quake triggered tsunami warnings and sent tremors throughout region

Alex Woodward
Tuesday 23 June 2020 20:10 BST
Comments
(REUTERS)

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A 7.4 magnitude earthquake has rocked Mexico's southern coast in the state of Oaxaca, triggering a tsunami threat and sending tremors as far as 500 miles away from its epicentre and in the nation's capital city.

At least one person has died and another person was injured, according to president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Officials recorded more than 100 aftershocks throughout the region.

The US Geological Survey and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration issued tsunami threats for Mexico's coastlines where swells as high as 10 feet above the tide levels were possible.

Those threats were lifted several hours after the morning quake. Waves were reported slightly larger than 2 feet above normal.

Geologists recorded a 7.4 magnitude quake around 11.30am eastern time with an epicentre 7 miles south-southwest of Santa Maria Zapotitlan in the state of Oaxaca.

Aftershocks along the coast and beach resort area of Huatulco continued over the next hour, and streets, buildings and powerlines were captured swaying from tremors in Mexico City.

A fire was reported at a Pemex refinery in Oaxaca. The company reported that at least one man was injured and under medical evaluation.

There have been several earthquakes in the region with a magnitude of 7 or higher within the last 35 years, including a deadly 2017 quake that killed 350 people, and a devastating 1985 quake that killed at least 5,000 people. Thousands of others were injured in those events.

Follow live coverage as it happened

7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Mexico

A powerful quake has hit the southern coast of Mexico near Oaxaca.

It's larger than a devastating 2017 quake that killed more than 300 people.

No casualties and only some damage have been reported following Tuesday's quake.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 18:11

Reports: One death reported following quake

At least one person has died following a 7.4 magnitude quake in the state of Oaxaca.

Governor Alejandro Murat has confirmed the death, according to Reuters.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 18:15

Videos capture shaking powerlines, buildings and streets in Mexico City and Oaxaca

Social media lit up with footage from Tuesday's earthquake showing buildings rocking from tremors as far as 300 miles from the epicentre of the 7.4 magnitude quake.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 18:37

Tsunami waves observed near Oaxaca's coast

Weather surveyors are reporting some larger-than-usual wave activity along Oaxaca's coast near Salina Cruz.

Residents have reported possible receding water on the coasts, signalling potential tsunami waves.

A tsunami threat is still in place for Mexico's southern coastline after a 7.4 magnitude quake struck this morning.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 18:51

Watch: Fire breaks out at Oaxaca refinery following earthquake

A fire broke out at a Pemex refinery in Oaxaca, the company has reported.

The company says it put out the fire at its Salina Cruz facility that was reportedly triggered by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in the region on Tuesday morning.

At least one man is injured and under medical evaluation, the company has reported.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 19:04

Report: one person dead, one injured following landslide

A landslide in Oaxaca following Tuesday's earthquake has killed one person and injured at least one other, according to area reports.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 19:08

Tsunami waves reported in Salina Cruz and Acapulco

Tsunami waves of more than 2 feet above the tide lines have been reported along Mexico's coast, following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Oaxaca on Tuesday morning.

Preliminary reports from the US Geological Survey recorded a 7.7 magnitude quake.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 19:45

Mapping the earthquake

Tremors were felt and buildings were shaking as far as Mexico City, Guatemala and throughout southern Mexico after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded 7 miles from Santa Maria Zapotitlan in Oaxaca.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 20:04

National Weather Service: tsunami threat has largely passed

The National Weather Service says "the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed" after a tsunami threat was issued for Mexico's southern coast as well as neighbouring countries in the wake of a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday morning.

While large waves were discovered in Oaxaca, no damage was reported.

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 20:10

Video captures Mexico City hospital bobbing during earthquake tremors

Alex Woodward23 June 2020 20:56

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