The earthquake occurred at 22:29 (ET: 11:29 ET) local time with an epicenter 10 kilometers southwest of Santa María Zapotitlan in the state of Oaxaca, near El Coyul.
At least five people have been killed, according to the Mexican National Civil Protection Service coordinator.
Alejandro Murat, Chairman of the Board of Oaxaca province, said that a 22-year-old woman and a man are among the dead.
Oaxacan Health Services also reported damage to general hospitals in Pochutla, Puerto Escondido and Pinotepa Nacional and several community hospitals in other regions from the earthquake. According to Murat, two of the damaged hospitals deal with coronavirus patients.
“We Doğrulıy [damages] because this hospital also directs Covid cases on the Oaxacan coast, “said Radio Interview with Radio Fórmula. The severity of the damage was not specified.
The National Civil Protection Service reported the first death after the demolition of a building after the earthquake that occurred just east of the popular tourist center Huatulco.
Authorities also reported that power cuts across the state capital and damaged outside of a hospital in Oaxaca.
The earthquake could be felt until Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Tremors were felt and sirens were crying in the capital, Mexico City, about 190 miles north of the epicenter.
Tsunami waves of 0.68 meters (2.2 ft) in Acapulco and 0.71 meters (2.3 ft) of Salina Cru were observed. According to the US Tsunami Warning System, an earlier tsunami alert was revised, predicting possible waves up to one meter (3.3 ft).
Estimates modeled by USGS show that local casualties and damage are possible, but less than 100 deaths and less than $ 100 million damage. However, the model only includes earthquake shaking and does not include any impact caused by potential tsunamis on the shoreline.
USGS said the recent earthquakes in the region have caused secondary hazards such as tsunamis and landslides.
Earlier estimates reduced the magnitude of the earthquake to 7.7, but this was revised up to 7.4 (and additional revisions are possible).
Mexico is one of the most seismically active areas in the world and has a long history of devastating earthquakes. The country is located on three large tectonic plates and their movements cause regular earthquakes and occasional volcanic eruptions.
Mexico City is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because its very soft and wet ground increases vibration and is prone to liquefaction, where dirt turns into a dense liquid when it is shaken sufficiently.
This last minute was updated with additional reports.
CNED’s Fidel Gutierrez in Mexico City and Clara Lopez in Atlanta contributed to the reports. CNN’s Matt Rivers and Natalie Gallon heard from Mexico City and Tatiana Arias and Atlanta’s Brandon Miller. Emma Reynolds wrote from London.
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