7.2-quake hits Mexico; Two die in copter crash
MEXICO CITY: A prolonged 7.2 magnitude quake that rocked Mexico on Friday left nearly a million homes and businesses without power in the capital and south, but the only reported deaths came when a military helicopter crashed after surveying the aftermath.
At least 50 homes suffered damage in the southern state of Oaxaca, which, along with Mexico City, is still reeling from earthquakes that caused widespread damage in September.
The epicentre was about 145km from Pacific coast surfer resort Puerto Escondido in the southern state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 124.6km, according to the United States Geological Survey.
At least two people died when a helicopter carrying Mexico’s interior minister and the governor of Oaxaca crashed while trying to land after a tour of damage from the earthquake, officials said. The senior officials survived.
The powerful, sustained shaking on Friday gave way to 225 aftershocks, the national seismology service said, and caused widespread panic.
In Mexico City, the seismic alarm sounded 72 seconds before tremors were felt, Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said, giving residents time to flee to the streets.
Patricia Gutierrez, 66, was taking a nap with her 11-month-old granddaughter when she heard the siren.
“She recognised the sound. When I opened my eyes, I saw her eyes in terror,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez managed to leave her ground floor apartment before the quake began.
“I left the phone and everything except for my shoes and the baby,” she said.
Authorities said no deaths directly linked to the quake had been reported nationally.