Late Tuesday of September 7, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake slammed in the Mexican tourist city of Acapulco, killing at least one person and caused buildings across central Mexico to shake.
The quake occurred on the anniversary of a devastating earthquake that rocked southern Mexico in 2017 and killed 99 people. It is the second time in recent years that big earthquakes have struck Mexico on the same day in September.
According to Mexico’s national seismic agency, the quake was located 7 miles southeast of Acapulco, a metropolis of roughly 700,000 people. It first stated that the earthquake measured 6.9 but then increased its estimate to 7.1. The US Geological Survey first estimated the temblor to be 7.4 but later reduced its assessment to 7.0.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that there had been no indications of significant damage in a videotaped address.
The earthquake-alarm system went off in Mexico City, some 240 miles north of Acapulco, alerting most inhabitants to the impending quake. On social media, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum stated that there were no reports of damage or injuries in the city. However, several areas had power outages.
According to the state electric provider CFE, around 1.6 million people in central Mexico are without power.
“It was solid, and I was terrified,” said Irma Delgado, a teacher in Mexico City. Ms Delgado stated that, despite not hearing the citywide siren that warns of earthquakes, she awakened her uncles and parents and went out to her yard.
According to Héctor Astudillo, the governor of Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located, a man was murdered in a village northwest of Acapulco when struck by a falling light post.
“People are scared,” Acapulco Mayor Adela Roman told Mexican network Milenio, “but thankfully, we don’t see any early indicators of significant damage.” She stated that there was considerable rubble along the city’s central tourist promenade.
The latest tremor is the fourth major earthquake to strike Mexico in September in recent years. On the same date, September 7, 2017, a magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck the country’s south, killing 99 people. On September 19 that year, a strong earthquake of 7.1 struck central Mexico, killing hundreds. That occurred on the anniversary of an 8.0 earthquake in 1985, killing tens of thousands of people.
“It’s the curse of September. This country is cursed,” claimed computer programmer Rogelio Pia.
Although seismologists claim that earthquakes cannot be anticipated and that the exact dates are merely coincidental, many Mexicans are concerned.
“This is incredible. I’m in shock and considering leaving Mexico City, at least this month (every year),” said Marta Mendoza, a 35-year-old graphic designer who lives in the capital’s affluent La Condesa district.
