Baja California Rocked by 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake

Dozens of aftershocks were also reported.

Quake struck just south of the U.S. - Mexico Border

(MEXICALI) - A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Baja California, Mexico Sunday near the city of Mexicali. At least one person died.

The earthquake struck at 10:40 p.m. GMT at a depth of 20.1 miles (32.3 kilometers) and 16 miles (26 kilometers) south southwest of Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California Norte, Mexico.

It was confirmed by Mexican civil protection officials, that one man died when his home collapsed outside Mexicali. There are local media reports of people still trapped in their homes in Mexicali, near the earthquake's epicenter.

The USGS says the tremor was the worst to hit this region since 1992. It was felt as far away as Tijuana, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs, California, causing panic among the residents, reports said.

The earthquake set the LA Fire Department into earthquake mode, and also temporarily suspended rides at the Disneyland theme park in California.

KABC TV News in LA reported that residents of both San Diego and Los Angeles reported swaying skyscrapers and some elevator power losses, but no injuries north of the U.S. border.

Alison McLallen Howell of Yuma, Arlzona, a city located on the Mexican border and about an hour from Mexicali, told Salem-News.com, "What a wild last few hours of Easter Sunday. We survived the 7.2 shaker and the MANY aftershocks."

Press TV said Easter celebrations were interrupted in Tijuana as families rushed for open ground. Some parts of this state saw power outages.

Dozens of aftershocks were also reported.