Mexico - Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2003/0014
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Mexico - Earthquake
22 January 2003

1. At 02:06 (GMT) on 22 January 2003, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter Scale hit Mexico: epicentre was 18.89 South and 103.88 (Source: United States Geological Survey).

2. States affected are Colima (the city of Colima situated some 500 km west of the capital, Mexico) and Jalisco. The earthquake was also felt in the states of Puebla, Tlaxcala and the city of Mexico.

3. Preliminary information indicates some 17 dead and more than 100 persons injured in the city of Colima, where electrical supply and telecommunications are disrupted. No reports of destruction of major urban buildings.

4. The President of Mexico has requested an immediate assessment of the disaster-stricken area to the Ministry of Defense and ordered the provision of relief aid to the affected population. The states of Jalisco and Michoacan have sent relief supplies and emergency personnel to the neighboring state of Colima.

5. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Mexico and will revert with further information, as it becomes available.

6. So far, the Government has not requested international assistance.

7. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Contacts

Telephone: +41-22-917 1234; Fax: +41-22-917 0023; E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency: Tel. +41-22-9172010

Desk Officers:
Mr. Ricardo Mena / Ms. Masayo Kondo
Direct tel: +41-22-917 32 99/13 83/19 97

Press contact:
(GVA) - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40