Quake hits southern Mexico, sways tall buildings in capital

MEXICO CITY – A strong earthquake struck in southern Mexico on Monday afternoon, but there were no reports of injuries or significant damage.

Authorities said the quake was felt in five states. Tall buildings swayed in Mexico City 215 miles (350 kilometres) from the quake’s epicenter.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 and its epicenter was in the southern state of Oaxaca, about 6 miles (10 kilometres) north of the town of Pinotepa de Don Luis. The quake struck at a depth of 6 miles (10 kilometres).

Felipe Reyna, co-ordinator for civil protection in Oaxaca, told Milenio TV that there were no initial signs of significant damage or anyone being hurt. Oaxaca Gov. Gabino Cue tweeted that there was no damage to “strategic installations or state services.”

The quake set tall buildings rocking in Mexico City, causing people to briefly leave offices and congregate in the streets. Much of the Mexican capital is built over a former lakebed, which means that residents often feel even faraway tremors.

The official Twitter account of National Civil Protection Coordinator Luis Felipe Puente said the temblor was also felt in the states of Guerrero, Puebla and Tlaxcala.