CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit off the southern coast of Mexico on Friday, causing tremors across communities in Chiapas, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The quake occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. As of Saturday, officials confirmed no fatalities or significant structural damage, though two individuals were injured in southern Mexico.
Tapachula civil protection director Demetrio Martínez reported two injuries related to the seismic activity. A woman in her 30s jumped approximately four meters from an apartment building after becoming distressed. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized, but authorities stated her condition was not life-threatening. Another person was treated for a minor injury caused by broken glass at a business. Emergency responders assessed buildings, roads, and public facilities throughout the border region.
The tremor started mildly in Tapachula before intensifying, prompting workers and residents to evacuate buildings. Similar evacuations occurred at offices in Guatemala City during the morning commute. The seismic activity was felt in Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, and also in El Salvador. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because initial energy readings remained below the threshold for activation. Authorities continued inspections after the strongest shaking subsided.
Coastal tsunami warning lifted after monitoring
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned that waves between 0.3 and one meter could reach areas of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval officials advised people to avoid beaches for six hours. Coastal communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate were monitored while the alert was active, with instruments at Puerto Madero recording a sea-level rise of about 0.3 meters. The tsunami threat was officially canceled at 17:02 UTC after reviewing all available data.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by multiple aftershocks. Seismic data indicated at least 10 aftershocks between magnitude 4.9 and 6 during early monitoring. Guatemala’s disaster response agency activated national protocols and checked western departments for damage. The education ministry suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu. Authorities also reported minor landslides along some roads in western Guatemala.
Limited damage found during regional assessments
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial reports indicated no major damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported no serious impacts from the quake. In Oaxaca, Governor Salomón Jara mentioned residents experienced moderate shaking but no significant damage. Local authorities opened assessment routes and inspected hospitals, schools, bridges, and utility infrastructure. Civil protection teams urged residents to report any cracks, falling debris, or blocked roads through official channels.
The earthquake occurred near the Mexico-Guatemala border, an area where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath the North American and Caribbean plates. This tectonic activity frequently triggers earthquakes along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities confirmed two injuries but no fatalities. No widespread damage had been reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. The tsunami threat had been lifted, and seismic agencies continued monitoring aftershocks and updating event information.