The earthquake that struck central and southern Mexico on the afternoon of 15th June 1999 claimed 19 lives, damaged 16,000 homes and injured nearly 200 people. Most of the impact was felt by the state of Puebla, where 14 people died. 2 people died in Mexico City by heart attacks apparently brought on by the tremors. Eight of Mexico's 31 states felt the earthquake, which lasted 41 seconds and measured 6.7 on the Richter scale. The quake's epicenter was about 140 miles southeast of Mexico City.

In Puebla's historical center, many streets were cordoned off to keep passers-by safe from potentially collapsing structures as round-the-clock rubble clearance took place. The medical faculty of the state university was facing demolition after being damaged beyond repair, while over 270 churches across the state suffered cracks or lost domes and belltowers.

This was the strongest earthquake to hit Mexico since the quake of 1985, which claimed the lives of between 8,000 - 10,000 people.