Jalisco Civil Protection says no damage has been reported in the state following the 8.2 magnitude earthquake that struck off Mexico’s southern coast late Thursday.
While the quake rattled Mexico City, causing people to rush out onto the streets in panic, it was not felt in Guadalajara. Residents of Poncitlán, Ocotlán, Jocotepec, Jamay, La Barca, Atotonilco, Degollado and other parts of Jalisco have reported feeling the tremor.
A tsunami alert was issued for the entire Mexican Pacific coast, and stronger than usual wave surges were noted on the Jalisco and Colima coastlines, although no flooding or damage has been reported.
As dawn broke Friday, the scale of the quake’s power became evident. There has been extensive damage to property in coastal towns and communities in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, as well as destruction in the inland cities of San Cristobal de las Casas and Oaxaca City.
President Enrique Peña Nieto traveled to the region immediately after the quake struck and visited the worst hit areas Friday. By early Saturday the death toll stood at 60. It is expected to rise further in the following days as bodies are recovered from under collapsed buildings and homes.
One of the worst affected towns is Juchitán in Oaxaca, where the municipal palace is reported to have collapsed.
Eleven states, including CDMX (Mexico City), decided to close all schools on Friday.
The Red Cross is accepting donations of food and meterials and has opened s bank account for financial contributions.
Residents of Mexico City say the quake lasted up to a minute and caused many buildings to sway violently. Memories for many living in the capital are still vivid from the 1985 quake that killed more than 10,000 people.
The Mexican Seismological Service (SSN) said Thursday night’s quake was even stronger than that of 32 years ago. Its more distant epicenter off the coast, however, meant that widespread damage in the capital was avoided.
More than 200 aftershocks have been recorded since the quake, according to the SSN.