Earthquake Hits Mexico Hard: Heavy Damage Expected

A strong earthquake damaged hundreds of homes in southern Mexico Tuesday and rattled residents hundreds of miles away in the nation's capital. The quake had a magnitude of 7.8 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and its epicenter was about 15 miles (25 kilometers) east of Ometepec, Guerrero.

At least 500 homes in the southern coastal state were damaged, Gov. Angel Aguirre told. Two people were injured in Mexico City, about 200 miles (320 km) from the quake's epicenter. At least 11 people - nine of the injuries occurred in Oaxaca state, which borders Guerrero and also suffered damage from the quake. Officials reported that at least 800 houses had collapsed in the town of Igualapa, the Guerrero state government said in a statement. Later Tuesday, the head of Guerrero's civil protection department said officials had confirmed 200 damaged homes in the town. That number could increase when assessments of the area continues Wednesday, he said.