An earthquake has taken place on the coast of Chiapas, in Mexico, in which 26 people have died. The earthquake has been the largest recorded in that area with a magnitude 8,2 on the Ritcher scale.
After the earthquake recorded there have been about 65 aftershocks. This indicates the intensity of the earthquake. The Mexican president, Enrique Peña Nieto, has mentioned that it is possible that, within 24 hours, another earthquake could happen again. Do you want to know more about this event?
Damage caused by the earthquake
The president of Mexico affirms that this earthquake has been the largest in the last 100 years, since more than 50 million people have felt it. Besides the intensity it had, it was also quite long.
Given the strong intensity it has had, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has activated an alert for Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and Ecuador of a possible tsunami with waves of 3 meters in the zone.
The earthquake has taken place 23:49 p.m. on Thursday, September 7 at about 19 kilometers deep and the epicenter of the earthquake was located 133 kilometers southwest of Pijijiapan, on the Pacific coast of the state of Chiapas (southeast).
Among the damage caused by the earthquake we find at least 20 dead in Oaxaca, of which 17 have died in Juchitán. In addition, there are four other people who died in Chiapas and two more in Tabasco who would be minors. As for the material damage reported, for now, they are not very large considering the great intensity of the earthquake. The Ane Centro hotel has completely collapsed in the town of Matías Romero and several houses as well.
On the other hand, there have also been power outages in the capital where, after hearing the seismic alert, All ambulances and rescue teams began to be mobilized. To avoid further damage or problems, classes have been cut to assess all damage.
Prevention and possible risks
To avoid further damage and deaths, Peña Nieto asks the population to check all the gas installations in their homes for possible leaks and explosions. Temporary shelters have been set up to care for and house all the most affected people (especially those living in coastal areas).
Zones have also been created to evacuate the population from the arrival of hurricane Katia along the eastern coast of the country.
Because the earthquake has had a very high intensity, it is accompanied by intense aftershocks. The strongest of them has been magnitude 6,1 on the Ritcher scale.
The earthquake has affected Guatemala with an intensity of 7,3 causing 17 victims, 24 houses destroyed and 2 injured.
Tremor of the Angel of Independence
The earthquake has caused the vibration of the Angel of Independence, an emblematic national monument of Mexico, and their fear that it will fall again. In a similar earthquake in 1957 it already fell.
The earthquake in which the Angel fell left 70 dead and numerous buildings destroyed. There are people who were more traumatized by the fall of this emblematic monument than by the deaths and the destruction of the buildings, so you can see the importance it has for them.
This earthquake that occurred on July 28, 1957 was remembered as the «Earthquake that threw the Angel». During this earthquake, the Angel began to move and vibrate and the Mexican citizens feared for its collapse.
This earthquake has occurred curiously a few days before the anniversary is celebrated by the 8,1 magnitude earthquake occurred on September 19, 1895. That earthquake left behind thousands of deaths and numerous damage. Many Mexicans think that it is a great coincidence that this past Wednesday the earthquake alert sounded in Mexico City by mistake.
Here you can see the video with the movement of the Angel of Independence shaken by the earthquake: