7.4-Magnitude Earthquake In Mexico Damages 60 Homes, No Reported Injuries

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A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Mexico around noon Central Time today, the Associated Press reported. The initial quake struck near the border of the southern Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero near the city of Ometepec, about 200 miles south of Mexico City. Reports say the quake shook central and southern parts of the country, damaging at least 60 homes near the epicenter. The quake also caused a pedestrian bridge to collapse and buildings to sway in the capital. Windows broke and plaster fell from ceilings in the center of Mexico City. A magnitude-5.1 aftershock was also felt in the capital. Just after noon Central Time today Mexican President Felipe Calderon used Twitter to announce there have not been reports of damage in Mexico City, only scenes of panic and evacuations of buildings. Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard also tweeted that the city’s “strategic services,” including the water system are functional though there have been reports of power outages and telephone service interruption throughout the affected areas. Guerrero Governor Ángel Aguirre Rivero tweeted that his state has been “seriously affected” by the quake, but there have been no reported injuries. Flights from LAX to Acapulco, a resort city 120 miles west of the center of the quake, had not been delayed as of earlier this afternoon.