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 pinpointed the epicenter approximately 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán. The quake was recorded at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The event occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Officials confirmed two injuries but reported no fatalities or significant structural damage.
Emergency response teams initiated inspections throughout southern Mexico immediately after the tremors subsided. In Tapachula, a woman jumped roughly four meters from an apartment building during the quake. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized. Authorities stated her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual suffered minor injuries from shattered glass inside a commercial establishment. Civil protection crews examined homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public infrastructure 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, located hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. Workers evacuated offices and buildings in Guatemala City as the shaking intensified. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because initial energy readings remained below the necessary threshold. Emergency teams in affected regions opened assessment routes and requested residents to report damaged structures, blocked roads, and compromised utility lines.
Tsunami warning lifted after coastline evaluations
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that waves between 0.3 and one meter could impact areas of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities advised the public to stay clear of beaches for six hours. Coastal response teams monitored communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate while the warning was in effect. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level rise of approximately 0.3 meters. The warning was later lifted after assessments of the coastline confirmed no ongoing tsunami threat.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and triggered multiple strong aftershocks. Early data showed 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. Road crews also responded to reports of minor landslides and 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 indicated residents experienced moderate shaking with no notable destruction. 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 compromised buildings until qualified inspectors verified structural integrity.
The quake occurred near a highly active fault zone where the Cocos Plate converges beneath adjacent tectonic plates. This region frequently experiences seismic events 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. Coastline monitoring showed no ongoing tsunami threat. Seismic agencies kept recording aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections continued.