One of the worst earthquakes to hit Mexico in a century has left scores dead. Millions of people across the country felt the 8.2 magnitude quake, which hit off the southern coast near the border with Guatemala.
A powerful earthquake struck off Mexico’s east coast late on Thursday, toppling houses, government offices and businesses. It was felt as far north as Mexico City, which is around 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Pijijiapan, near the border with Guatemala. At least 60 people were killed and widespread power outages were reported across the country.
President Enrique Pena Nieto said that the 8.2 magnitude quake was “the strongest” since 1932, and was stronger than the 8.1 quake in 1985 which left thousands dead in Mexico City.
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Oaxaca state governor Alejandro Murat told local television that at least 17 of the deaths were recorded in the southeastern town of Juchitan. The death toll could rise, local officials said on Friday.
“There are houses that collapsed with people inside,” Luis Felipe Puente, the head of the emergency response agency, told TV news channel Milenio.
The US Geological Survey recorded at least 20 aftershocks of magnitude 4.0 or greater within about five hours of the main shake. Authorities reported dozens of aftershocks