The earthquake is 8.1 magnitude causing tsunami off Mexico

A 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mexico, killing at least 5 people, causing small tsunamis.

Strong earthquake 8.1 Richter scale occurred late September 7. Shocking at a depth of 70km, the offshore area is 87km southwest of Pijijiapan, Chiapas state, BBC leads information from the US Geological Survey (USGS). USGS also recorded 6 aftershocks, strong from 4.5 to 5.7 Richter scale.

A building in Mexico collapsed after an earthquake.(Photo: REX).

The earthquake created 0.7m high waves in Mexico, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The center warns of large , dangerous tsunamis that can appear within three hours. Geologists think that there may be a tsunami nearly 4m high.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanic and Volcanic Research (Phivolcs) today issued a warning to coastal communities, suggesting to closely monitor the earthquake-related developments in Mexico. Philippines is about 14,000km from Mexico.

Chiapas governor Manuel Velasquez said three people in the state died in the earthquake. The neighboring Tabasco state has two people killed.

Strong earthquakes cause tsunamis off Mexico.

Some buildings in southern Mexico were badly damaged. The windows at the airport in Mexico City were broken, some areas in the capital lost power. People throughout Mexico even in Austin, Texas, USA, more than 2,000 km from the epicenter can also feel the earthquake.

People in Mexico City, one of the largest cities in the world, put on their pajamas and fled to the city, an alarm sounded, a witness recounted. The helicopter appeared a few minutes later, apparently to consider damage at the buildings.

The epicenter location.(Graphic: BBC) .

The earthquake seemed stronger than the earthquake in 1985, flattening many areas in Mexico City, killing thousands. Mexico is also being threatened by Hurricane Katia. Hurricane Katia is currently about 300km southeast of the port city of Tampico in the southeast.