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Structural damage, deaths reported after 7.5 earthquake hits Oaxaca

Crucecita, Oaxaca — Alejandro Murat, the governor of Oaxaca reported deaths and damage around the state after an earthquake hit the region early Tuesday.

According to Servicio Sismológico Nacional, the epicenter of the quake was south of Crucecita, Oaxaca and recorded at 10:29 a.m. with a magnitude of 7.5. The strong tremors were felt in 12 states, creating panic and causing deaths and structural damage.

“At this time, the damage is being evaluated by Civil Protection, but he (the mayor) confirmed that there was a collapse in Crucecitas, which is the epicenter of the earthquake and that apparently a person lost his life.”

Murat Hinojosa reported that two Oaxaca state Covid-19 hospitals suffered damage. The quake hit 23 kilometers south of La Crucecita. At least two people were reported killed in landslides due to the quake.

Petróleos Mexicanos reported the temporary suspension in operations at the Salina Cruz refinery after a fire broke out, which was caused by the earthquake. In Mexico City, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum also confirmed injuries and damage to at least 36 buildings. She says material damage has been reported across the city along sidewalks and roadways causing and that both gas and water leaks have been reported. She added that four government buildings were also damaged.

Since the initial earthquake at 10:29 a.m. yesterday, the Servicio Sismológico Nacional says as of 4:30 a.m. June 24, there have been 1,571 aftershocks of the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Oaxaca June 23. The largest aftershock recorded being a magnitude of 5.5.