No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeEarthquakePowerful magnitude-6.4 quake hits southern and central México

Powerful magnitude-6.4 quake hits southern and central México

MEXICO CITY – A powerful and prolonged magnitude-6.4 earthquake was registered in the south of México, shaking the populous capital at noon on Thursday, according to authorities, which have not yet reported victims or damages.

“No reports of injuries at the moment! In my monitoring the states have not yet reported damages,” the national coordinator for Civil Protection, Luis Felipe Puente, wrote on his Twitter account.

In Mexico City, massive evacuations of buildings took place. The capital’s mayor, Miguel Ángel Mancera, said on Foro TV that there have been no reported injuries, and all of the city’s services are functioning.

However, electricity blackouts were reported, and communications have been cut in at least a few colonias, including the capital’s Roma neighborhood, AFP has confirmed.

Despite the fact that México City residents are accustomed to regular temblors, this Thursday’s earthquake caused surprised due to its force and duration.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) first reported the quake at magnitude 6.8, but later reduced it to 6.4, while the National Mexican Seismological Service (SSN) placed it at 6.6.

The USGS said the earthquake occurred at 12 p.m. local time at 15 kilometers west of the city of Tecpán, at a depth of 23 kilometers.

Tecpán, with 62,000 residents, is situated in the Guerrero region on the Pacific coast. It was also the closest city to a previous magnitude-7.2 earthquake on April 19.

In the city of Chilpancingo, capital of Guerrero, the earthquake generated scenes of panic, but no damage had been reported, according to the mayor, Mario Moreno, speaking to television station Milenio.

Mexico is divided between five tectonic plates, whose movements generate one of the highest rates of seismic activity in the world.

Many of the those earthquakes can be felt in Mexico City, due to the type of earth, since part of the city sits on muddy subsoil derived from lakes that were drained in the Mexican Valley.

On Sept. 19, 1985, magnitude-8.1 earthquake destroyed part of Mexico City causing 3,700 deaths, according to the Civil Registry, although civil organizations say more than 20,000 died.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Approves Extradition of Ex-Minister Gamboa and Associates

A Costa Rican court has approved the extradition of former Security Minister Celso Gamboa Sánchez to the United States on charges of international cocaine...

U.S. Labeled Terrorists Escape Guatemalan Jail Amid Homicide Surge

Guatemala City – Authorities in Guatemala confirmed on Sunday that 20 high-ranking members of the Barrio 18 gang broke out of the Fraijanes II...

Costa Rica Faces Nicaragua in Key World Cup Qualifier Match

Costa Rica takes on Nicaragua this Tuesday at the Estadio Nacional in a match that could shape their path in the 2026 World Cup...

Costa Rica Proposes Date for Chaves Immunity Review

Costa Rica's lawmakers took a step forward today in addressing the latest push to strip President Rodrigo Chaves of his legal protections. The Legislative...

Costa Rican Hotels Warn of Job Risks Amid Drop in Tourists

Hotels across Costa Rica face mounting pressures as tourist numbers dip and a sluggish dollar exchange rate eats into their earnings. From January to...

Costa Rica Faces a Must-Win for a Place in 2026 World Cup

Costa Rica's national soccer team faces a defining stretch in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup. With just two points from their...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica