CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday, causing strong tremors across Chiapas and neighboring nations. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter approximately 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán. The quake was recorded at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The seismic event occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Authorities confirmed two injuries but no fatalities or significant structural damage.
Emergency response teams conducted inspections throughout southern Mexico shortly after the tremors ceased. In Tapachula, a woman leapt roughly four meters from an apartment building during the quake. She suffered fractures and was hospitalized. Officials stated her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual sustained minor injuries from shattered glass inside a business. Civil protection crews examined homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public facilities for cracks, debris, or other signs of damage.
Residents experienced the earthquake across southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The shaking was also felt in Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. Workers evacuated offices and other structures in Guatemala City as the tremor increased in intensity. Mexico City’s seismic alarm did not activate because early energy readings stayed below the activation threshold. Officials in affected regions established emergency assessment routes and requested residents to report damaged buildings, blocked roads, and unsafe utility lines.
Tsunami warning concludes after shoreline assessments
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that waves ranging from 0.3 meters up to one meter could impact parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities advised the public to stay away from beaches for six hours. Coastal teams monitored communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate while the warning was active. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level rise of about 0.3 meters. The center later canceled the tsunami threat after reviewing data from the affected coastline.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and triggered multiple strong aftershocks. Initial monitoring identified at least 10 aftershocks with magnitudes between 4.9 and 6. Guatemala activated national emergency protocols and conducted inspections in western departments near the Mexican border. Education authorities suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu. Road crews examined reports of minor landslides and falling debris along routes in western Guatemala.
Authorities report minimal damage across the region
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial evaluations revealed no major damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported no significant impact from the earthquake. Officials in Oaxaca noted residents experienced moderate shaking but without extensive damage. Local authorities continued inspecting bridges, hospitals, schools, and utility networks. Emergency officials urged the public to adhere to safety instructions during aftershocks and to avoid damaged structures until trained inspectors verified their stability.
The quake struck near a highly active tectonic boundary where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath other plates, resulting in frequent seismic activity along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities confirmed two injuries and no fatalities. No widespread structural damage had been reported by Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. Coastal monitoring indicated no ongoing tsunami threat. Seismic agencies kept recording aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections continued.