Western Mexico hit by 7.2 earthquake Skip to main content

Western Mexico hit by 7.2 earthquake

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A 7.2 magnitude earthquake has hit the Mexican peninsula of Baja California, US officials say, and has been felt in Los Angeles and even in Nevada.
The quake struck at 1540 (2240 GMT), 26km (16 miles) south-west of Guadalupe Victoria in Baja California, at a depth of 32km, said the US Geological Survey.

There have been reports of light damage and minor injuries in some areas near the epicentre.
In San Diego, tall buildings were seen swaying.
Bridge checks
Some minor injuries and damage have been reported close to the epicentre in the town of Mexicali.
Damage in the town of Mexicali
There was some minor damage in the town of Mexicali
Civil defence director Alfredo Escobedo told CNN: "At least one building collapsed and other public and private buildings were damaged."
He said some people had been hurt "but not seriously".
The quake caused buildings to sway in the Mexican city of Tijuana, where Easter celebrations were interrupted as families rushed for open ground.
Some parts of Baja California had seen power cuts, officials said.
The US Geological Survey said this was the largest quake to hit the region since 1992.
The BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles says the shaking lasted for about a minute and US firefighters were called out to inspect roads, bridges and power-lines.
The LA Fire Department had also responded to a number of automatic alarms and people being stuck in lifts, reports said.
Rides were temporarily suspended at the Disneyland theme park in California.
Many readers who contacted the BBC spoke of the "surreal" swaying of buildings for up to a minute, although Steve Rider from Palm Springs in California said it was "the most powerful earthquake I have ever felt".
Kyle Stockburger, in Los Angeles, said: "Everyone stopped talking in the restaurant and the overhead lights started swaying back and forth. It wasn't violent, just unreal. It felt like the whole earth was swaying."

BBC NEWS
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