Mexico hit by 7.6 magnitude earthquake

 

A major earthquake struck southwestern Mexico on Tuesday, frightening residents and causing a pedestrian bridge to collapse, though authorities said there were no initial reports of serious damage.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was 7.6 on the Richter scale and located the epicenter of the quake at 15 miles (25 km) east of Ometepec in Guerrero state, near the Pacific Coast resort of Acapulco.

Local television images showed part of a bridge collapsed onto a vehicle on the outskirts of Mexico City.

Office buildings shook and employees fled into the street when the quake hit. Mobile phone lines went down and traffic backed up in the capital moments after the quake, which lasted for more than a minute.

Officials said 500 homes had been damaged in Guerrero state.

President Felipe Calderon said there were no reports of serious damage.

In Acapulco, guests at the Crowne Plaza hotel evacuated the building when they felt the tremors.

"We were on the 20th floor. The windows started to shake, and the lights shook, and there was lots of noise. It was very spooky," one guest said.

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