Strong Earthquake in Southern Mexico... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Confirms 1 Injured Overseas Korean National, Assessing Local Damage Scale

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is assessing the extent of damage to overseas Koreans after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck southern Mexico, injuring one Korean resident.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is investigating property damage in Korean-dense areas where Korean companies are located. A ministry official explained, "The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Mexico City has confirmed one injury among overseas Koreans residing in Mexico City after surveying damage status with Korean community organizations and businesses."

There are about 12,000 overseas Koreans living in Mexico, but it is known that there are almost no overseas Koreans in the area where the strong earthquake occurred.

The Korean Embassy in Mexico advised local overseas Koreans, "So far, aside from injuries caused by falls due to building vibrations, there has been no damage to the Korean community. For reference, during the earthquake in 2017, a major earthquake (approximately magnitude 8.0) occurred in the Oaxaca region in early September, and about two weeks later, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Puebla near Mexico City, causing significant damage. Therefore, please remain especially vigilant about earthquakes and pay close attention to personal safety for the time being."

Meanwhile, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the southern Pacific coastal region of Mexico at 10:29 a.m. on the 23rd (local time), resulting in at least two deaths so far.