Earthquake kills one and puts Mexico under tsunami alert

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit Mexico’s Southwestern state of Michoacán on Monday has damaged infrastructure nationwide and caused one death.

The earthquake was registered 15 kilometers deep in the ground near La Placita de Morelos, but the victim died in the coastal city of Manzanillo, Colima state — around 100 km away from the epicenter — after the collapse of a building. The death was confirmed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador after a call with the Navy Minister, Admiral José Rafael Ojeda Durán. 

On social media, Mexicans and local news outlets have been sharing impressive videos showing the quake’s impacts. The earthquake has taken place on the exact anniversary of two other tremors in 2017 and 1985 — when 370 and between 5,000-10,000 people died, respectively. 

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake “occurred as the result of shallow thrust faulting.” 

The incident was followed by a tsunami threat warning issued by the U.S. Tsunami Warning System. Experts say that waves of up to three meters could hit the Mexican coast anytime soon. Other Pacific coastal countries in Latin America could also be affected. 

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said no damage has been registered in the capital as of Monday afternoon.

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