MEXICO CITY – A strong earthquake struck central Mexico on Monday, swaying tall buildings in the capital and sending office workers into the streets.
The quake rattled nerves in a city already tense from a swine flu outbreak suspected of killing as many as 149 people nationwide.
“I’m scared,” said Sarai Luna Pajas, a 22-year-old social services worker standing outside her office building moments after it hit. “We Mexicans are not used to living with so much fear, but all that is happening – the economic crisis, the illnesses and now this – it feels like the Apocalypse.”
Co-worker Harold Gutierrez, 21, said the country was taking comfort from its religious faith, but he too was gripped by the sensation that the world might be coming to an end.
“If it is, it is God’s plan,” Gutierrez said, speaking over a green mask he wore to ward off swine flu.
Televisa television network quoted Mexico City officials saying there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The quake had a magnitude of 5.6 and was centred near Chilpancingo, about 210 kilometres southwest of Mexico City or 80 kilometres from the resort of Acapulco, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
USGS earthquake analyst Don Blakeman said the quake was felt strongly in Mexico City because the epicentre was relatively shallow and the ground under the capital – which is built on a former lake bed – tends to intensify shock waves.
“Distant quakes are often felt” strongly in the city, he said.
The USGS revised the quake’s magnitude down from its preliminary estimate of 6.0, and said its depth was 50 kilometres.
Tourists also streamed out of hotels in Acapulco and congregated on sidewalks and medians for several minutes. Local Civil Protection officer Silvia Rodriguez said there were no injuries.
