At least two people were d.e αd in Mexico after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake. President Claudia Sheinbaum interrupted her press conference in the capital, Kazinform reports, citing DW.
Earthquake in Mexico interrupts presidential press conference
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Mexico on Friday, January 2, with its epicenter near the town of San Marcos in the state of Guerrero. Tremors were felt in the central and southern parts of the country. At least two people were d.e αd.
One of the d.e αd was a 60-year-old man. He felt ill and collapsed while being evacuated from his apartment. A 50-year-old woman, who lived near the epicenter, was d.e αd by the rubble of her home. A hospital in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero, was also damaged. Some patients were evacuated.
The earthquake also struck the capital, Mexico City, located 400 kilometers from the epicenter. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was forced to interrupt her press conference and evacuate the presidential palace. However, the press conference soon resumed.
Why are earthquakes frequent in Mexico?
Mexico is located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire. Several tectonic plates converge here, leading to frequent volcanoes and earthquakes. Mexico City, built on soft soil on a dried-up lake bed, is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, according to DW.
The most de.v αstating earthquake in Mexico’s history—magnitude 8.1—occurred on September 19, 1985. Approximately 10,000 people d.i ℮d. Exactly 32 years later, on September 19, 2017, the country was struck again by strong tremors. The d.e αth toll exceeded 300.