The tranquility of midday in Mérida was interrupted by an unusual phenomenon for the region: an earthquake felt in various parts of the city, prompting the precautionary evacuation of public buildings, businesses, and hospitals.
It’s worth noting that the National Seismological Service (SSN) reported a 4.2 magnitude earthquake at 10:05 a.m. today, with its epicenter in the municipality of Chapab, in southern Yucatán, according to information released by the Yucatán Civil Protection Agency (PROCIVY).
Regarding this second seismic event, one of the locations where safety protocols were activated was the High Specialty Regional Hospital of the Yucatán Peninsula (HRAEPY). Medical and administrative staff, patients, and their families were moved to the building’s esplanade while a structural inspection of the facilities was carried out.
Civil Protection personnel asked people to remain in safe areas while the building’s condition was being assessed. The evacuation was carried out in an orderly fashion and without any major incidents being reported.
Luis Herrera Pantoja, a nurse at the hospital, recounted that the tremor was more noticeable on the upper floors. “It was felt more intensely on the higher floors. For safety reasons, it was decided to evacuate while everyone checked that everything was in order,” he explained.
The tremor also surprised office workers and employees at commercial establishments. Marina González, an employee at a store in the north of the city, commented that at first she thought it was a problem with the building. “We felt some objects moving and then we saw everyone starting to leave. I’ve never experienced anything like this in Mérida,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jorge Ramírez, who was running errands at an office in the city center, noted that the tremor caused uncertainty among people. “We’re not used to earthquakes here. When the evacuations began, many people were asking what was happening because it’s not something that occurs frequently,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Civil Protection Agency of Yucatán (PROCIVY) reported a second seismic event recorded Monday afternoon. The quake occurred west-northwest of Mantua, Cuba, and reached a magnitude of 6.4, according to preliminary data released by authorities.
The report indicates that the earthquake occurred at 12:00:27 UTC, at coordinates 22.28° north latitude and 85.3° west longitude, at an approximate depth of 21 kilometers. Authorities also confirmed that there is no tsunami warning for Yucatán resulting from this event.
The initial assessment by PROCIVY indicates that the earthquake did not pose a risk to the population of Yucatán, although authorities are continuing to review and monitor any potential effects associated with the seismic activity.
To date, no reports of structural damage or injuries have been received in the state. The state agency is coordinating with all 106 municipalities of Yucatán to verify any incidents related to the earthquake that occurred off the coast of Cuba.
Source: 24horasyucatan
