Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes Southwestern Mexico... 1 Dead, Residents Urgently Evacuate

Published 08 Sep.2021 14:26(KST)

Embassy: "No Korean Victims Confirmed"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Mexico on the 7th (local time) at 8:47 p.m. (10:47 a.m. KST on the 8th), resulting in at least one fatality.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the Mexican National Seismological Service, the earthquake occurred 11 km southwest of Acapulco, a resort area in Guerrero state, about 300 km from the capital, Mexico City. The hypocenter depth was relatively shallow at 10 km.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The Seismological Service reported that 73 aftershocks of up to magnitude 5.2 followed within about an hour after the initial quake.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake magnitude as 7.0 and the hypocenter depth as 20 km.

So far, one death has been confirmed due to the strong earthquake.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Guerrero Governor H?ctor Astudillo stated that a pedestrian died after being crushed by a streetlight that fell during the earthquake.

Some buildings in Acapulco were partially damaged, and landslides and rockfalls were reported in parts of Guerrero.

It has been confirmed that there were no casualties among Koreans residing in Mexico.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The Korean Embassy in Mexico said, "Koreans confirmed to be staying in Acapulco have safely evacuated," and "Fortunately, Koreans in other areas such as Mexico City have not suffered any damage."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

In Mexico City, buildings shook violently, causing residents to evacuate hurriedly through the late-night rain in alarm.

In some parts of Mexico City, power outages occurred following the earthquake.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Coincidentally, this earthquake occurred on the same date as the magnitude 8.2 earthquake that struck Chiapas in southern Mexico in 2017.

That earthquake resulted in nearly 100 deaths, and 12 days later, on September 19, a magnitude 7.1 strong earthquake struck Puebla, causing over 300 fatalities. One Korean resident living in Mexico City also died at that time.