CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – On Friday, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake shook off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico, causing strong tremors across Chiapas and neighboring nations. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter approximately 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The quake struck at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Authorities confirmed two injuries but no fatalities or significant structural damages.
Emergency response teams promptly began inspections across southern Mexico 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. Officials assured her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual was slightly injured by broken glass inside a business. Civil protection teams examined homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public structures for cracks, fallen debris, and other signs of damage.
The tremors were felt throughout southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Even Mexico City, located hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, experienced the shaking. Workers evacuated offices and buildings in Guatemala City as the tremor intensified. The seismic alert system in Mexico City did not activate because the initial energy readings remained below the activation threshold. Authorities in affected regions activated emergency assessment routes and urged residents to report any damaged structures, blocked roads, or unsafe utility lines.
Tsunami Alert Ceases After Coastal Evaluations
Initially, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning indicating that waves between 0.3 and one meter could impact parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities recommended avoiding beaches for six hours. Coastal teams monitored communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate during the active warning. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level rise of approximately 0.3 meters. The tsunami threat was later canceled after the center reviewed observational data from the affected coastline.
The main earthquake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by multiple aftershocks. Early data indicated at least 10 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 4.9 to 6. Guatemala activated its national emergency protocols and inspected western departments near the Mexican border. Educational authorities suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu. Road crews also checked for minor landslides and debris along routes in western Guatemala.
Authorities Report Minimal Damage in the Region
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial evaluations revealed no major damages. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported that the earthquake had no serious impact. Officials in Oaxaca mentioned residents experienced moderate shaking but without significant structural damage. Local authorities continued inspections of bridges, hospitals, schools, and utility systems. Emergency officials advised the public to adhere to safety instructions during aftershocks and to avoid damaged buildings until qualified inspectors could verify their safety.
The quake occurred near a highly active tectonic boundary where the Cocos Plate is subducting beneath surrounding plates, a region known for 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 risk. Seismic agencies continued to document aftershocks and update technical information as regional inspections continued.