An earthquake of preliminary magnitude 7.7 shook central Mexico on Monday, just on the day of the anniversaries of the earthquakes of the September 19, 1985 and 2017considered the two most destructive in recent history.
The earthquake occurred at 1:05 pm with an epicenter located 63 kilometers south of Coalcoman, in the state of Michoacán, western Mexicoaccording to preliminary information from the National Seismological Service (SSN) of Mexico.
(Also read: Mexico: strong earthquake of magnitude 7.6 shook the center of the country)
At first, the SSN had placed the magnitude at 6.8, to revise it shortly after. “We are going to start collecting information, we sincerely hope that nothing serious has happened,” said the president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, in a first message from the National Palace.
Breaking: Video shows the moment an earthquake was felt in Mexico City. The preliminary magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Michoacán. pic.twitter.com/JKaYajjMO1
— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) September 19, 2022
The phenomenon occurred less than an hour after the national drill organized at 12:19 pm to commemorate the earthquakes of September 19, 1985 and 2017.
(Also: Tremor: with alarm and alert image on cell phones, the earthquake was reported)
“Emergency protocols were activated due to the earthquake registered this afternoon in Michoacán. Civil Protection of Michoacán remains alert,” the government of that state, where the epicenter occurred, wrote on Twitter.
While the head of the Government of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, reported that “so far no damage has been reported in the City”, where “five condors from the Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City continue to fly over”.
In addition, the death of a person who fell from the railings in a Colima shopping center was confirmed. The United States issued a tsunami warning after the tremor.
The Cablebús Public Transport System stopped its services at the time of the earthquake. According to system personnel, users on both lines were evicted, after the review both lines are already operating normally.
Videos recorded by citizens show how the cabins swung from one side to the other.
“Perceivable earthquake. Seismic alarms sounded. Condors flying over. We are in C5. So far no damage has been reported. In a few minutes, more information. The earthquake continues, stay calm,” the capital’s president said on Twitter.
Other entities in the south and Pacific of Mexico, such as Colima and Jalisco, also reported that the earthquake was perceptible. Just hours before, President López Obrador led a ceremony to remember the victims of the tremors of September 19, 1985 and 2017.
The National Seismological Service has updated the intensity of the #earthquake at 7.4 degrees with epicenter in Coalcomán, Michoacán.
The water from the pools on top of the buildings of Central Park in Guadalajara spilled and fell like a waterfall.
Follow the damage count. pic.twitter.com/ihjPjDz83h
– Jalisco Red (@Jalisco_Rojo) September 19, 2022
After the 6.8 earthquake with an epicenter near Coalcomán, Michoacán, in the center of Guadalajara, a stone from the Temple of San Agustín fell on a car.
It happened at the intersection of Degollado and Morelos. pic.twitter.com/pmRPGWqPzr
– Rubi Bobadilla (@RubiBobadilla) September 19, 2022
On September 19, 1985, the earthquake occurred at 7:19 local time (12:19 GMT) with a magnitude of 8.1 and with an epicenter in the state of Guerrero, in the south of the country, and left more than 20,000 dead, the mostly in the Mexican capital.
On the same date, 32 years later, on September 19, 2017, an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 and with an epicenter between Puebla and Morelos (center of the country), left about 370 dead, 228 of them in Mexico City.
Damage after the earthquake
At a press conference, Claudia Sheinbaum, head of the Government of Mexico City, and the Emergency cabinet gave the first report on the effects of the 7.4-degree earthquake with an epicenter in Michoacán that occurred on Monday afternoon. Sheinbaum reported that 99.1% of the Seismic Alert horns were working properly.
???????? | A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.4 shook Mexico just as the two powerful earthquakes that left thousands dead in 1985 and 2017 were commemorated. pic.twitter.com/PwePpOecv8
— World Alert (@AIertaMundiaI) September 19, 2022
Also, he reiterated, as he said on social networks, that no serious damage was reported immediately.
Among the emergency calls they received after the earthquake, It was indicated that the majority were due to nervous breakdowns, falling trees, poles and lack of electricity.
Regarding the state of public transport, it was reported that the two Cablebus lines are already operating normally and that Line 4 of the Metro is without service due to a review of the electrical system.
With the passing of minutes, more damage is known. For example, the Interlomas bridge, located in Huixquilucan, had to be closed. It suffered a mismatch in its structure after the earthquake this afternoon, for which Mayor Romina Contreras ordered structural experts to review the stability of this overpass.
Users on social networks report damage to the bridge that goes from Interlomas to the Bosque Real Viaduct. The authorities have not yet ruled on the matter. It is recommended to avoid the area.
Video: @jackievasco pic.twitter.com/Hezb30Kjao– Adela Micha (@Adela_Micha) September 19, 2022
Civil Protection carried out an initial review in which it did not observe a latent risk; In addition, state Civil Protection was asked for its assessment and an expert on the matter has been hired who will issue an opinion in the next few hours, Romina Contreras spread in a video message.
EFE and El Universal (GDA)
You can also read:
– Mexico: what is the San Andreas fault and why does seismologists worry so much?
– ‘I need to tremble in September’: The memes left by the strong earthquake in Mexico.
– The US issues a tsunami alert after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Mexico.