CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit off the southern coast of Mexico on Friday, causing tremors across communities in Chiapas, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S. Geological Survey identified the epicenter as 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, with a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The quake occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. As of Saturday, officials reported no fatalities or major structural damages, though two individuals sustained injuries in southern Mexico.
Tapachula’s civil protection director Demetrio Martínez confirmed two injuries related to the tremor. One woman in her 30s jumped approximately four meters from an apartment building after becoming distressed. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized, but authorities assured her condition was not life-threatening. Another person was treated for a minor injury caused by broken glass at a commercial premises. Emergency teams conducted inspections of buildings, roads, and public infrastructure across the border region.
The initial tremor was mild in Tapachula before intensifying, leading workers and residents to evacuate structures. In Guatemala City, office evacuations also took place during the morning commute. The tremor was felt in Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, and residents in El Salvador also reported feeling the shaking. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because the initial energy levels did not surpass the threshold. Officials continued assessments after the strongest movements subsided.
Tsunami warning lifted after coastal assessments
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 authorities advised the public to stay away from beaches for six hours. Coastal officials monitored areas near Puerto Madero and Suchiate while the alert was active. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level increase of roughly 0.3 meters. The tsunami threat was officially canceled at 17:02 UTC after reviewing observational data.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by multiple strong aftershocks. Seismic data indicated at least 10 aftershocks between magnitude 4.9 and 6 during early monitoring. Guatemala’s disaster response agency activated its procedures and checked western departments for damage. The education ministry suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu. Reports of minor landslides blocking roads in western Guatemala prompted further inspections.
Limited damages found in regional assessments
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial reports indicated no significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales confirmed there were no serious impacts from the quake. In Oaxaca, Governor Salomón Jara mentioned residents experienced moderate shaking but no major damages. Local authorities set up assessment routes and inspected hospitals, schools, bridges, and utility infrastructure. Civil protection teams asked residents to report any cracks, falling debris, or blocked roads via official emergency channels.
The quake occurred near the Mexico-Guatemala border, where the Cocos Plate moves beneath the North American and Caribbean plates. This tectonic activity causes frequent earthquakes along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities had confirmed two injuries but no fatalities. No widespread damage had been reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. The tsunami warning had been lifted, and seismic agencies continued to monitor aftershocks and update data on the event.