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At least 2 dead after powerful earthquake shakes southern Mexico

Powerful earthquake shakes southern, central Mexico
Posted at 11:01 AM, Jun 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-23 16:11:29-04

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A powerful earthquake centered near the Mexican resort town of Huatulco has killed at least two people, officials said Tuesday.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake had a magnitude of 7.4 and was centered along the Pacific coast of Oaxaca state. It hit at 11:29 a.m. ET at a depth of 16 miles and the epicenter was about 7 miles south-southwest of Santa Maria Zapotitlan, USGS says.

Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said one person was killed and another injured in a building collapse in Huatulco. Otherwise he said reports were of minor damage such as broken windows and collapsed walls.

Oaxaca state's governor reported a second death.

The quake caused buildings in Mexico City to sway and sent thousands of residents into the city’s streets Tuesday. Seismic alarms sounded mid-morning with enough warning for residents to exit buildings.

Helicopters flew over downtown Mexico City and police patrols sounded their sirens.