Mexico earthquake death exceeds nine

The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck southern Mexico has risen over eight, Onyxnews Nigeria has quoted AFP saying on Wednesday.

The 7.4-magnitude quake, which was followed by more than 1,500 aftershocks, was felt in Mexico City, some 700 kilometers (430 miles) away from the epicenter in Oaxaca.

It sent people fleeing their homes and workplaces, and forced the closure of an oil refinery.

In an interview with Milenio TV, Oaxaca Governor, Alejandro Murat said earlier in the day that 2,000 homes had been destroyed.

First responders were still working to remove debris from a highway, he also said.

About 23 people had been injured in the disaster, the national civil protection coordinator, David Leon said.

Mexican Oil said its refinery in Salina Cruz in Oaxaca had been shut down as a precaution after a fire broke out at the plant that was closed fast.

One of the dead from the earthquake was a worker at the refinery, who died as a result of falling off a high building.