7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Kills 6 in Southern Mexico, Tsunami Alert Issued

After a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific coast of southern Mexico on Tuesday six people were killed, Reuters said. The earthquake has set off a tsunami warning along the Pacific coast of Central America.

The U.S. Geological Survey said Oaxaca, a mountainous state known for coffee production, based on a strong earthquake. "The earthquake occurred as a result of reverse fault between the Cocos and North American plates on or near the plate boundary," USGS tweeted.

The USGS said the epicenter of the earthquake was located 69 kilometers North East of the town of Pochutla. The earthquake was only 26 kilometers below the earth’s surface.

"The earthquake also resulted in a tsunami hazard alert from NOAA's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]," USGS added in a news release. "This message demonstrates the potential for dangerous tsunami waves within 1000 kilometers of the epicenter, including expected waves of less than 0.3 meters in Hawaiian amplitude."

An anonymous official of the state of Oaxaca told Reuters that rescue workers were trying to reach an epicenter-neat area, where people were trapped in destroyed homes. The official added residents had called the authorities and demanded assistance.

The earthquake aftershocks have been felt as far as the city of Mexico. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed, and fear forced the people into the streets.

Mexico is one of the world’s most seismically active countries. It is located at the intersection of three tectonic plates. Mexico City, the country’s capital, is especially prone to earthquakes because it is situated on top of an ancient lake bed. In 2017, more than 300 people in the country were killed in a 7.1-magnitude earthquake.