Strong quake rattles Mexican coast

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake has struck in the Gulf of California close to the Mexican state of Baja California, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake struck early on Thursday about 143km from the town of Guerrero Negro and came hours after a 6.5-magnitude quake shook western Mexico, sending people rushing out into the streets as far away as Mexico City.

The US Geological Survey said the latest quake had occurred at a depth of 10kms. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre gave a measurement of 7.1-magnitude, but said no widespread tsunami threat existed.

But it said the quake could generate local tsunamis within 100kms of the epicentre and said regional authorities should take appropriate action.

There are no reports of casualties or major damage as a consequence of either quake.

The latest quakes follow several others in the region in recent weeks.

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck southwest Mexico on March 20, killing two people, injuring 13 others and damaging thousands of homes.

Several hundred aftershocks have rocked southwestern and central Mexico since then, including a 6.3-magnitude quake on April 2.

People in Mexico’s crowded capital, home to more than 20 million, are all too familiar with seismic activity and used to evacuation drills.