MEXICO CITY – A magnitude 6.5 earthquake shook southern Mexico yesterday, including Mexico City, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The quake was centred about 56km from Las Choapas, a city of about 70,000 people in the state of Veracruz, at a depth of 167km, the US Geological Survey said.
The tremor was felt in some parts of Mexico City, about 400km away, prompting the evacuation of schools, hotels and office buildings.
The capital’s mayor Marcelo Ebrard said no damage had yet been reported in the city which has a population of about 20 million.
Gloria Sabala (70), a resident of Las Choapas, said the earthquake appeared to have passed and that she had not seen damage from her home close to the town centre.
“We felt it but thank God we’re alright,” Ms Sabala added. “I haven’t seen any damage to buildings. They’re all pretty small around here.”
Veracruz radio Cambio Digital said there was no damage reported at Pemex operations at the port of Coatzacoalcos and the refinery of Minatitlan, or at Mexico’s sole nuclear plant in Laguna Verde, in the north of the state.
– (Reuters)