Interruptions to supply chain continuity, mainly delays to road freight shipments as a result of damaged roads, are possible in southern Mexico after a major earthquake struck in the region. Interruptions will likely remain localized to this region of the country and not affect more significant supply chain and commercial hub regions, such as the Mexico City area. Damage to road infrastructure, including streets and bridges, appears worst in Mexico’s southernmost state of Chiapas, but similar infrastructure damage occurred in neighboring Oaxaca. Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company temporarily suspended the operations of the Salina Cruz refinery in Oaxaca, but the facility did not suffer physical damage. Few reports of damage were reported in Mexico City or other nearby areas, although this region did experience tremors.
The earthquake is already responsible for over two dozen deaths, but this figure will almost certainly rise as authorities continue surveying affected areas. Mexican authorities reported the earthquake had a magnitude of 8.2, making it the strongest such quake to strike the country in a century and the strongest earthquake worldwide so far this year.
