A massive 8.1-magnitude earthquake has hit off the coast of southern Mexico, toppling houses in Chiapas state, causing buildings to sway violently as far away as the country’s distant capital and setting off a tsunami warning.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at 11:49pm local time and its epicentre was 165 kilometres west of Tapachula in Chiapas state not far from Guatemala. It had a depth of 35 kilometres. The US Tsunami Warning System said hazardous tsunami waves were possible on the Pacific coasts of several Central American countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras, within three hours.
There was no tsunami threat for the US West Coast, but the warning system said waves could reach Mexico and as far as Ecuador.
“The house moved like chewing gum and the light and internet went out momentarily,” said Rodrigo Soberanes, who lives near San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, a poor, largely indigenous state popular with tourists. Chiapas Governor Manuel Velasco told television station Televisa the rooves of homes and a shopping center had collapsed in San Cristobal. (AP)
