MEXICO EARTHQUAKE – 7.4 MAGNITUDE QUAKE STRUCK MEXICO

A major earthquake has hit southern Mexico on Tuesday and rattled residents and office workers as it damaged hundreds of homes and caused tall buildings to shake.

The US Geological Survey reported that the strong quake registered a magnitude of 7.4, its epicenter was about 15 miles (25 kilometers) east of Ometepec, Guerrero. It shook Mexico City at about 12:02 local time for more than a minute and there were several aftershocks. It swayed tall buildings spreading fear among residents and many office workers rushed into the streets after feeling the temblor.

Several international news sites reported that there were no reports of serious damage. But the governor of the southwestern state of Guerrero, Angel Aguirre, said he had received reports that the quake damaged some 800 homes in Guerrero state, collapsing at least 60 homes, but he gave no more details.

A pedestrian bridge also collapsed on a minibus on the outskirts of Mexico City, but there were no injuries.

There were no immediate reports of death or serious injury but telephone service in Mexico City was down and some neighborhoods were without power.

New building regulations were implemented after the devastating 8.1-magnitude earthquake of 1985 which killed thousands in Mexico City, preventing major damage from yesterday’s quake because of stronger buildings.

Malia Obama, eldest daughter of U.S. President Barack Obama was reported to be on vacation with classmates in Mexico. A spokeswoman for first lady Michelle Obama said that Malia is safe and was never in danger.