CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake impacted 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. The quake occurred at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The event took place at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Authorities confirmed two injuries but no fatalities or significant structural damage.
Emergency teams quickly began inspections across southern Mexico following the tremors. In Tapachula, a woman jumped roughly four meters from an apartment building during the quake. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized. Officials stated her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual was slightly hurt by broken glass inside a business. Civil protection units examined homes, schools, hospitals, roads and public structures for cracks, fallen debris, and other signs of damage.
People in southern Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador felt the shaking. The tremors also reached Mexico City, located hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. Workers evacuated offices and other buildings in Guatemala City as the tremor intensified. Mexico City’s seismic alarm system did not activate because early energy readings stayed below the necessary threshold. Authorities in affected regions activated emergency assessment routes and requested residents report damaged buildings, blocked roads, and unsafe utility lines.
Tsunami warning lifted after coastlines checked
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that waves ranging from 0.3 to one meter could impact parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval officials advised people to avoid beaches for six hours. Coastal teams monitored areas near Puerto Madero and Suchiate while the warning was active. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level rise of about 0.3 meters. The center later lifted the tsunami alert after reviewing observations from the affected coastline.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and triggered multiple strong aftershocks. Early data recorded at least 10 aftershocks with magnitudes between 4.9 and 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 also examined reports of minor landslides and fallen debris along routes in western Guatemala.
Authorities report minimal regional impact
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial evaluations found no major damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported no serious effects from the quake. Officials in Oaxaca mentioned residents experienced moderate shaking without significant damage. Local authorities continued inspecting bridges, hospitals, schools, and utility networks. Emergency officials urged the public to follow official safety instructions during aftershocks. They also advised residents to stay away from damaged structures until trained inspectors could verify their safety.
The quake occurred near a highly active fault zone where the Cocos Plate moves beneath adjacent tectonic plates. This region frequently experiences seismic activity along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities confirmed two injuries and no fatalities. Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador had not reported widespread structural damage. Coastal monitoring indicated no ongoing tsunami threat. Seismic agencies kept recording aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections proceeded.