Earthquake with epicenter in Oaxaca sways buildings in Mexico City

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook Mexico’s southern state of Oaxaca on Monday, Mexico’s seismological institute said. The quake rattled buildings and prompted brief evacuations as far away as Mexico City, but there were no immediate reports of any damage, according to Reuters and Associated Press.

Luis Felipe Puente, head of emergency services, said via Twitter that authorities were monitoring states where the tremor was felt. Some offices were evacuated in Mexico City.

Authorities said the quake was felt in five states. Tall buildings swayed in Mexico City 215 miles (350 kilometers) from the quake’s epicenter.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor’s epicenter was in the southern state of Oaxaca, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) north of the town of Pinotepa de Don Luis.

Felipe Reyna, coordinator for civil protection in Oaxaca, told Milenio TV that there were no initial signs of significant damage or anyone being hurt.

The quake set tall buildings rocking in Mexico City, causing people to briefly leave offices and congregate in the streets. Much of the Mexican capital is built over a former lakebed, which means that residents often feel even faraway tremors.

Sources:

reuters.com

ap.org