8.1 magnitude earthquake in Mexico kills at least 29


FE Team | Published: September 08, 2017 20:11:53 | Updated: October 18, 2017 17:55:16


8.1 magnitude earthquake in Mexico kills at least 29

At least 29 people have died after the most powerful earthquake to hit Mexico in a century struck off the country's southern coast.

 

The magnitude-8.1 quake, which was felt as far as Mexico City and Guatemala City, was registered off Mexico's southern coast just as heavy rains from Hurricane Katia lashed the east, reports CNN.

 

The epicentre was in the Pacific Ocean, some 600 miles (1,000 kilometres) southeast of the capital and 74 miles (120 kilometres) from the Pacific coast.

 

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said the quake was the strongest earthquake Mexico has experienced in 100 years.

 

It hit just before midnight on Thursday, when many people would have been sleeping.

 

Alejandro Murat, the governor of Oaxaca, said 23 people were killed in his state alone. Four others have died in Chiapas state and two in Tabasco.

 

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