An earthquake struck just off the Pacific Coast of Mexico on Thursday 8 September 2017. The earthquake measured in at 8.1 according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake was described as the strongest in a century by Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto.
According to a report by the BBC, close to six people were killed and one person died in Guatemala.
The earthquake was felt in Mexico City, more than 450 miles from the epicentre. The quake also rocked one of the city’s major landmarks, which is the Angel of Independence monument. The earthquake struck mainly in the west of Guatemala.
The quake caused buildings to sway violently in Mexico’s capital. Residents fled buildings and gathered in groups in the street. Some neighbourhoods remained in darkness after electricity was knocked out.
Chiapas Governor, Manuel Velasco, said two women died on San Cristobal when a house and a wall collapsed. He urged people living near the coast to leave their homes as a protective measure.
A tsunami warning has been issued for Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras.
Some social media reactions include:
https://twitter.com/SecureInCanada/status/906036431495192577
An 8.1 #earthquake just hit Mexico. Mother Nature is not having it right now with us. Prayers to those affected, prayers to the world.
— Bindas Ladki (@bindasladki) September 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/SecureInCanada/status/906036107741077506
mega #earthquake (#sismo) shakes Offshore Chiapas, Mexico 9 min ago. Effects derived from witnesses' reports: pic.twitter.com/FVs4eTFct3
— EMSC (@LastQuake) September 8, 2017
#BREAKING: An enormous 8.0 magnitude #earthquake has just struck #MexicoCity. More to come…
— Jon Haworth (@JonHaworth_) September 8, 2017
Lights in sky over #MexicoCity as #earthquake hit appears to be a natural phenomena known as “earthquake lights."pic.twitter.com/MKPdQNeQXp
— Think Mexican (@ThinkMexican) September 8, 2017
And now a 8.0 magnitude #earthquake in #mexico … sound like Mother Nature is furious choose to ignore she is dying.. listen to this cry.
— Lolo Nicole (@Lo_Ra92) September 8, 2017
Dear Mexico,
No matter what some of our elected officials may or may not do, Americans stand with you in this time of need. ❤️#earthquake
— Simar Ahluwalia (@sahluwal) September 8, 2017
#Earthquake M4.5 Near Coast of Oaxaca, Mexico 8 Sep 09:08 UTC – report/info: https://t.co/ExbxZCzjrh
— Earthquake Monitor (@EQAlerts) September 8, 2017
Edited by Fundisiwe Maseko
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