CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday, causing strong tremors felt across Chiapas and neighboring nations. The U.S. Geological Survey located the epicenter approximately 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, registering the quake 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 reported no fatalities or significant structural damage.
Emergency response teams initiated inspections throughout southern Mexico shortly after the tremors subsided. In Tapachula, a woman jumped roughly four meters from an apartment building during the quake, sustaining fractures and receiving hospital care. Officials stated her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual sustained minor injuries from shattered glass inside a business. Civil protection units examined homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public buildings for cracks, fallen debris, or other signs of damage.
The seismic activity was felt across southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The tremors also reached Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. Workers evacuated offices and other structures in Guatemala City as the shaking intensified. The seismic alarm in Mexico City did not activate because early energy readings stayed below the required threshold. Local authorities in affected regions deployed emergency assessment routes and requested residents report damaged structures, blocked roads, and compromised utility lines.
Tsunami warning concludes after shoreline evaluations
Initially, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that waves between 0.3 and one meter might impact parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities advised the public to stay away from beaches for six hours. Teams along the coast monitored communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate during the warning period. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea level rise of approximately 0.3 meters. The center later lifted the tsunami alert after analyzing observations from the affected coastline.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and triggered multiple strong aftershocks. Early data indicated at least 10 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 4.9 to 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. Crews also 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 assessments revealed no major damages. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported that the earthquake did not cause serious impacts. Officials in Oaxaca indicated residents experienced moderate shaking without significant damage. Local governments continued inspections of bridges, hospitals, schools, and utility infrastructure. Emergency officials urged the public to adhere to official safety instructions during aftershocks and advised residents to stay away from compromised buildings until trained inspectors verified structural integrity.
The quake took place near a highly active tectonic boundary where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath neighboring plates. This zone frequently produces seismic events along Mexico’s southern Pacific coastline. By Saturday, authorities confirmed two injuries with no fatalities. No widespread structural damage was reported by Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. Coastal monitoring indicated no ongoing tsunami threat. Seismic agencies continued to record aftershocks and update technical data as regional inspections proceeded.