Magnitude 8 earthquake hits Mexico (Lead)

Mexico City Sep 8 (IANS) A strong earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale jolted Mexico near the border with Guatemala on Friday according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake which was felt as far Guatemala City had a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 and depth of 33 km according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. It struck off the Pacific Coast 120 km southwest of Tres Picos Mexico which is 1 000 km southeast of Mexico City reports CNN. The Tsunami Warning Centre advised the public that tsunami waves could hit within three hours off the coasts of Mexico Guatemala Panama El Salvador Costa Rica Nicaragua Honduras and even Ecuador. The tremor led to power cuts in the Mexican capital which was put on seismic alert. CNN attempted to contact two seaside hotels in the Mexican state of Chiapas next to the border with Guatemala but the lines appeared to be down. --IANS ksk/vm