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Mexico earthquake: Estimated 5.6 magnitude hits off coast of Chiapas state on Guatemala border

It comes just a week after another 6.2 magnitude quake struck off the coast

Caroline Mortimer
Monday 25 April 2016 09:07 BST
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The quake struck 81km off the cost of Chiapas, Mexico
The quake struck 81km off the cost of Chiapas, Mexico (UGUS)

A 5.6 magnitude has struck 81km off the coast of the southern state of Chiapas in Mexico near the border with Guatemala.

It comes a week after another 6.2 magnitude quake was registered in the Pacific Ocean near the state.

Last week, Mexican authorities attempted to downplay rumours that a powerfully destructive earthquake was about to strike the country after Ecuador was hit by its strongest quake in decades, ABC News reports.

On Sunday, the official death toll from the 7.8 magnitude quake - which struck off the coast on 16 April - rose to 646 with 130 people still missing.

Thousands more were injured and many towns were destroyed.

Mexico is considered one of the world's most seismically active countries by the US Geological Survey (UGUS).

Additional reporting by Reuters

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