A 7.0-magnitude Quake Shakes Mexico, One Dead
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A powerful earthquake struck southwestern Mexico near the beach resort town of Acapulco on Tuesday, killing at least one man who was crushed by a falling post.
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Mexican military personnel lend a hand in Icatepec, Mexico (AFP)
The quake of magnitude 7.0, which hit 7.7 km northeast of Acapulco, shook the hillsides around the city, causing power outages in several states.
According to the Mexican Federal Electricity Commission, 1.6 million people were affected in the capital, Mexico City, and the states of Guerrero, Morelos, and Oaxaca.
This number represents 13% of the total number of consumers in these states and the capital. The Commission announced that the authorities are working to restore the electricity supply to these areas as soon as possible.
Guerrero State Governor Hector Astudillo told local TV that a man was killed by a falling post in Coyuca de Benitez, a small town just west of Acapulco.
On his part, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador addressed the people and said that the earthquake has not caused major damages in Guerrero, the neighboring region of Oaxaca, Mexico City, or any other areas.
Informe sobre el sismo con epicentro en Guerrero. pic.twitter.com/5VP0Kh47rL
— Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) September 8, 2021
Acapulco is roughly 370 km from Mexico City.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that Tuesday's quake, initially measured at a magnitude of 7.4 and later downgraded to 7.0, was relatively shallow, just 20 km below the surface, which would have amplified the shaking effect.
Mexican state power utility the Federal Electricity Commission said in a statement that 1.6 million users were affected by the quake in Mexico City, the adjacent State of Mexico, and the states of Guerrero, Morelos, and Oaxaca.
