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, with the quake registering 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 responders initiated inspections throughout southern Mexico shortly after the tremors ceased. In Tapachula, a woman leapt about four meters from an apartment building during the quake. She sustained fractures and was transported to a hospital, with officials stating her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual received minor injuries from shattered glass inside a business. Civil protection teams examined homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public buildings for cracks, debris, and other signs of damage.
The tremor was felt across southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It also reached Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. Workers evacuated offices and other structures in Guatemala City as the shaking intensified. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because early energy readings remained below the activation threshold. Affected area authorities activated emergency assessment routes and urged residents to report damaged structures, blocked roads, and unsafe utility lines.
Tsunami warning lifted after coast inspections
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that waves between 0.3 and one meter could impact parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval officials advised people 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 tsunami threat was later canceled after analyzing observations from the impacted coastline.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by several strong aftershocks. Early data indicated at least 10 aftershocks with magnitudes from 4.9 to 6. Guatemala activated national emergency protocols and inspected 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.
Officials report minor regional impact
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial evaluations did not detect significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported no serious effects from the earthquake. Officials in Oaxaca mentioned residents experienced moderate shaking without major damage. Local authorities continued inspections of bridges, hospitals, schools, and utility systems. Emergency officials urged the public to adhere to safety guidelines during aftershocks and to avoid damaged buildings until trained inspectors completed structural assessments.
The quake occurred near a highly active tectonic boundary where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath adjacent plates, leading to 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 in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. Coastal monitoring showed no ongoing tsunami threat. Seismic agencies kept recording aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections continued.