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 a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The quake struck at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Officials reported two injuries, with no fatalities or significant structural damages.
Emergency responders initiated inspections throughout southern Mexico shortly after the tremors ceased. In Tapachula, a woman fell about four meters from an apartment building amid the quake. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized. Authorities stated her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual was hurt slightly due to broken glass inside a business. Civil protection teams carried out assessments of homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public facilities for cracks, debris, and other signs of harm.
The tremor was felt across southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It also reached Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. In Guatemala City, workers evacuated offices and buildings as the shaking intensified. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because early energy readings stayed below the necessary threshold. Affected area officials activated emergency assessment routes and requested residents to report damaged structures, blocked roads, and unsafe utility lines.
Tsunami alert concludes after coastal evaluations
Initially, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned of potential waves between 0.3 and one meter affecting parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities advised the public to stay away from beaches for six hours. Coastal teams monitored communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate during the active warning period. Instruments at Puerto Madero detected a sea-level rise of approximately 0.3 meters. The center later canceled the tsunami threat after analyzing observations from the impacted coastline.
The main earthquake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by several strong aftershocks. Early data recorded at least 10 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging 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 debris along routes in western Guatemala.
Authorities report limited damage across the region
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial evaluations indicated no significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also confirmed there was no serious impact from the quake. Officials in Oaxaca reported residents experienced moderate shaking without major damage. 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 damaged structures until trained inspectors verified their stability.
The quake occurred near an active fault zone where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath adjacent tectonic 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 was reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. Coastal monitoring showed no ongoing tsunami threat. Seismic agencies kept tracking aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections continued.