Mexico rocked by deadly earthquake
Mexico suffered its most powerful earthquake in nearly a century late Thursday, which left at least 32 people dead and sent violent tremors throughout the region.
The quake, which had a magnitude of 8.1, was registered off Mexico’s southern coast and was felt as far away as Mexico City and Guatemala City, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, which tracks such seismic events.
The USGS issued a red alert for “shaking-related fatalities” and economic losses related to the massive quake, warning that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.”
{mosads}Such earthquakes can come with a list of aftereffects, including tsunamis and landslides, according to the USGS, which reported aftershocks registering above magnitude 5.
Officials warned of possible tsunami waves of up to 10 feet high, according to NBC News.
On social media, residents posted photos and videos of the earthquake’s effects. One video posted on Twitter early Friday showed tremors rocking Mexico City’s Angel of Independence monument.
Lo dejaron bien amarrado en 1957 pic.twitter.com/ytl9yZSE51
— Alexis Milo Caraza (@alexismilo) September 8, 2017
According to Reuters, at least 23 of the deaths were in Oaxaca in southern Mexico, while seven others died in Chiapas — the state closest to where the earthquake was registered — and two others died in Tabasco.
Mexico’s federal police, as well as its army and marines, were being mobilized to respond to the disaster.
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