Mexico quake 7.2 magnitude, strongest quake in 18 years

At least one person in Mexico was killed Sunday after a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the country's northwest border with the U.S.The quake happened at 3:40 p.m. PT in the Mexican state of Baja California, about 60 kilometres southeast of Mexicali, the state's capital city, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).Three smaller aftershocks followed within the hour. The area had been hit by 3.0-magnitude quakes all week.The seismic waves were felt in both countries, including parts of California, Arizona and Nevada.

 No major damages or deaths were initially reported, Alfredo Escobedo, Baja California's director of civil protection, later said a man was killed when his home collapsed just outside of Mexicali.Escobedo also said there were concerns that people in the area may be trapped in their homes. Rescue teams with search dogs and digging equipment were dispatched to the city from nearby Tijuana.
The parking garage at Mexicali's city hall also collapsed, Escobedo said, but no one there was hurt. buildings sustained structural damage, gas lines were leaking and the water system was in need of repair. But he said he knew of no injuries. Hundreds of people in Tijuana fled the border city's beaches fearing a tsunami.Tsunami experts quickly reported that no tsunami was expected along the West Coast, and Hernandez said the beach filled back up with people within an hour.

The 7.2-magnitude quake was felt as far north as Santa Barbara, Calif., seismologist Susan Potter said. It was the second-strongest to hit the region in recent history.Powerful shaking was reported across much of southern California.