7.4 magnitude earthquake felt off coast of Mexico

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake was felt off the southern coast of Mexico in the state of Oaxaca, prompting a forecast of potential tsunami waves, the country’s National Seismological Service reported Tuesday afternoon.

The quake occurred at 10:29 a.m. central time, with an epicenter near El Coyul, 6.8 miles southwest of Santa María Zapotitlán in Oaxaca. The damage in the state is considered light to moderate according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 

The USGS estimates the earthquake itself could result in as many as 100 fatalities and $100 million in damage. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a tsunami warning for the coast of Mexico, with waves of up to 3 meters. The warning also reaches Ecuador, where there could be waves of between 0.3 and 1 meter in height.

The Oaxaca governor, Alejandro Murat, has reported that at least one person is dead as a result of the earthquake and another is injured.

In Mexico City, its seismic alert system was activated and hundreds of people took to the streets at the emergency notice. Videos on social media show buildings shaking in the capitol city.

In 2017, two powerful earthquakes — one that had a magnitude of 7.1 and the other a magnitude of 8.1 — hit the country in two weeks, toppling buildings, cracking highways and killing hundreds of people.