Magnitude 8 earthquake hits south Mexico, triggers tsunami alert

An earthquake of magnitude 8.1 struck off the southern coast of Mexico late on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, killing at least five people, triggering small tsunami waves and damaging some buildings.

The quake was apparently stronger than a devastating 1985 tremor that flattened swathes of Mexico City and killed thousands, but initial reports of damage in the city were limited.

The USGS said the quake struck at 11:49 p.m. Thursday (local time) and its epicenter was 165 kilometers (102 miles) west of Tapachula in southern Chiapas state, not far from Guatemala. It had a depth of 35 kilometers (22 miles).

Six aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 4.5 to 5.7, were also reported.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System said hazardous tsunami waves were possible on the Pacific coasts of several Central American countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras, within three hours. There was no tsunami threat for the U.S. West Coast, but the warning system said waves could reach Mexico and as far as Ecuador.

Mexico's civil protection agency said it was the strongest earthquake to hit the country since a devastating 1985 tremor that toppled buildings and killed thousands.

Civil Defense officials were checking for damage in Chiapas, but the quake was so powerful that frightened residents in Mexico City, around 950 kilometers (590 miles) away fled apartment buildings, often in their pajamas, and gathered in groups in the street.

Buildings swayed strongly for more than one minute, loosening light fixtures from ceilings. Helicopters crisscrossed the sky above Mexico City with spotlights. Some neighborhoods kept electricity while others remained in darkness.

Civil Defense in Chiapas said on its Twitter account that its personnel were in the streets aiding people and warned residents to prepare for aftershocks. But it made no immediate comment about damage.

State oil company Pemex said it was still checking for damage at its installations, which include the Salina Cruz refinery in the same region as the epicenter.

In neighboring Guatemala, President Jimmy Morales spoke on national television to call for calm while emergency crews checked for damage. Local radio in the Central American country reported one death, but it could not be confirmed.

"We have reports of some damage and the death of one person, even though we still don't have exact details," Morales said. He said the possible death occurred in San Marcos state near the border with Mexico.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Friday that Hurricane Katia has strengthened slightly as it swirls toward eastern Mexico and remains on track to gain major hurricane strength upon landfall.

The Category 1 hurricane is about 185 miles east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour, the NHC said.

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