CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday, causing significant tremors across Chiapas and nearby nations. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter roughly 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán. The quake was registered at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The seismic event occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Authorities confirmed two injuries but no fatalities or extensive structural damage.
Emergency responders initiated inspections throughout southern Mexico immediately after the tremors subsided. In Tapachula, a woman jumped approximately four meters from an apartment complex during the quake. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized. Officials stated her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual suffered minor injuries from shattered glass inside a commercial establishment. Civil protection teams assessed homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public structures for cracks, debris, and other signs of harm.
The tremors were felt across southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The seismic activity also reached Mexico City, 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 activation threshold. Authorities in affected regions launched emergency assessment routes and requested residents to report damaged infrastructure, blocked roads, and unsafe utility lines.
Tsunami warning concludes after shoreline assessments
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that waves between 0.3 and one meter could impact parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities advised people to stay away from 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 about 0.3 meters. The center later lifted the tsunami threat after evaluating observations from the affected coastal areas.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by multiple 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 minimal damage across the region
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial evaluations revealed no significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also indicated there was no major impact from the earthquake. Officials in Oaxaca reported residents experienced moderate shaking but without substantial damage. Local authorities continued inspections of 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 safety.
The quake struck near a highly active fault zone where the Cocos Plate converges beneath adjacent tectonic plates. This region frequently experiences seismic activity along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities had confirmed two injuries and no fatalities. No widespread structural damage was reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. Coastal monitoring indicated no ongoing tsunami risk. Seismic agencies persisted in recording aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections continued.