Office of the President of Mexico

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on a call after the earthquake that struck southern Mexico on June 23, 2020

MEXICO CITY — Tuesday morning, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico. The intensity was felt all the way to the center of the country in Mexico City, but the affected area was down south, near the quake’s origin.

The earthquake’s epicenter was near the coast of the state of Oaxaca, near Huatulco. 

According to the Mexican government, six people died, 23 were hurt and more than 2,100 reported damages in their homes.

A couple of hours after the quake, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador posted on Twitter an earthquake report video. López Obrador is seen dictation from Mexico’s director of civil protection, writing down the emergency number, 911.

Critics say his response to the natural disaster was slow, insufficient and seemed to ignore the emergency hotline number.

In Mexico City, people evacuated buildings seconds ahead thanks to the seismic alert system. No substantial damages were reported, but concerns about coronavirus prevail after many people didn't have time to put a mask on.