Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes southern Mexico

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the southern coast of Mexico Friday evening, damaging buildings and alarming residents already reeling from several recent quakes.

The quake, which initially was reported to be 7.5 magnitude, struck Mexico’s southern Oaxaca state 15 miles below the surface, causing buildings to shake in Mexico City and other major population centers.

USGS downgrades Mexico quake to 7.2-magnitude. pic.twitter.com/J4ierHjd7t

— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) February 17, 2018

Video captured in the country’s capital shows lamps shaking in an office building as workers brace themselves along walls.

{mosads}

Friday’s quake occurred just months after a 7.1 magnitude quake killed 104 in September when it struck 50 miles southeast of Mexico City.

Another 8.1 magnitude quake the week before killed 100 people and caused damage in the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, near where Friday’s quake occurred.

No reports on injuries or damage were immediately available.

Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto tweeted that “protocols have been activated” and that a National Emergency Committee would be installed due to the earthquake being greater than magnitude 7.0.

Tratándose de un sismo de más de 7 grados, por protocolo se instala el Comité Nacional de Emergencias en el Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres. Desde ahí @PcSegob estará informando.

— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) February 16, 2018