CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico on Friday, causing strong tremors across Chiapas and neighboring nations. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter roughly 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, with the quake occurring at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The event took place at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Authorities reported two injuries but no fatalities or significant structural damage.
Emergency response teams promptly began inspections throughout southern Mexico after the tremors subsided. In Tapachula, a woman leapt approximately four meters from an apartment building amid the quake. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized, though her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual suffered minor injuries from shattered glass inside a business. Civil protection teams examined homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public structures for cracks, debris, and other damage indicators.
The quake was felt across southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Its tremors also reached Mexico City, located hundreds of kilometers away 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 remained below the necessary threshold. Authorities in affected regions activated emergency assessment routes and requested residents to report damaged infrastructure, blocked roads, and unsafe utilities.
Tsunami warning concludes after shoreline assessments
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially predicted waves between 0.3 and one meter could impact areas of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval officials recommended staying away from beaches for six hours. Coastal teams monitored communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate throughout the warning period. Instruments at Puerto Madero registered a sea-level rise of approximately 0.3 meters. The warning was later lifted after the center reviewed observational data from the affected coastline.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by multiple strong aftershocks. Initial records indicated at least 10 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 4.9 to 6. Guatemala activated its 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 addressed 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 revealed no major damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also confirmed no serious impact from the earthquake. Officials in Oaxaca reported residents experienced moderate shaking without significant damage. Local agencies continued inspections of bridges, hospitals, schools, and utility networks. Emergency officials advised the public to adhere to safety instructions during aftershocks and to avoid damaged structures until qualified inspectors could verify their stability.
The quake took place near a highly active tectonic boundary where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath neighboring plates, frequently causing 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 indicated no ongoing tsunami risk. Seismic agencies persisted in recording aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections continued.