A major earthquake early Friday morning, measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale, killed dozens of people and incited fears of potential tsunamis down Central America, reports BuzzFeed News.
The earthquake struck just off the coast of the state of Chiapas at a reported depth of 20 miles, according to the US Geological Survey. The epicenter “was located about 102 miles west of the city of Tapachula.” It had a far-reaching impact, with people all the way in Mexico City, which is more than 600 miles away from the epicenter, feeling tremors. There are many videos on social media showing buildings and other structures in the capital city swaying dangerously.
There were a number of smaller earthquakes in the same area, with one registering at 5.7, following the initial quake.
So far, the Associated Press and other media outlets have cited local officials in saying that at least thirty-two people have been killed as a result of the quake. BuzzFeed News was not able to obtain any further confirmation on the official death toll, but the USGS said “significant casualties and economic loss were likely across the affected areas.”
Videos and photos of the destruction in the affected areas are pouring onto social media. Photos tweeted out from Chiapas show buildings with significant damage. The civil protection agency in Oaxaca, 280 miles south of Mexico City, shared a photo which appears to be a shot of a hotel that collapsed.
Se trabaja en hotel de Matías Romero que sufrió daños por sismo #Oaxaca @alejandromurat pic.twitter.com/IFjLPLKQ8U
— ProtecciónCivilOax (@CEPCO_GobOax) September 8, 2017
When the quake hit Mexico City, people had to evacuate shaking and swaying buildings. Some people were still in robes, and some didn’t even have time to grab their shoes.
Sophie Mallentjer, a 24-year-old exchange student from Belgium, said she first felt the tremors while leaving a bathroom at a house party.
“I thought I was drunk,” she told BuzzFeed News. “And then I realized it was an earthquake.” She ended up on the street with six other exchange students, waiting fearfully with the rest of the city for potential aftershocks.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) says tsunami waves of at least 9 feet in height are possible along the coast near Mexico City. Waves of three feet or higher could also potentially be seen in El Salvador and Guatemala, or even as far away as American Samoa, Ecuador, Fiji and other Pacific islands. However, Mexican officials warn of tsunami waves of 13 feet or more and the governor of Oaxaca, Alejandro Murat, has issued a request that all at-risk areas be evacuated.
Schools in Mexico City, Oaxaca, Chiapas and other areas will be closed Friday as relief efforts begin.