Tsunami Warning Issued After 7.4 Magnitude Tremor Shakes Mexico’s South

By Staff, Agencies

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami warning along Central America's Pacific coast and as far south as Ecuador.

The epicenter was near Crucecita, in the southeastern state of Oaxaca, but the shock wave was felt as far away as Mexico City, some 430 miles distant, where it sent frightened residents rushing into the streets.

The US Geological Survey reported that the quake struck with a magnitude of 7.4, at a depth of 14 miles. After initially publishing a reading of 7.1, the Mexican Seismological Service revised its figure to 7.5.

The US Pacific Tsunami warning center said hazardous waves as high as three meters could strike anywhere within 620 miles of the quake's epicenter, affecting the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central and South America.

Waves of up to one meter could strike the coast of Ecuador, and smaller waves under a half-meter could be seen in Central American countries as well as Hawaii and Peru.

“At the moment we have no preliminary reports of any damage. Several institutions are continuing to evaluate their priority infrastructure,” David Leon, the national coordinator of Mexico's Civil Protection force, told Milenio TV station.