CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off southern Mexico on Friday, causing tremors across regions of 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. By Saturday, authorities reported no fatalities or significant structural damage, though two individuals were injured in southern Mexico.
Tapachula civil protection chief Demetrio Martínez stated that two injuries were linked to the tremor. A woman in her 30s jumped approximately four meters from an apartment building after becoming distressed, sustaining fractures and being hospitalized, though her condition was not life-threatening. Another person was treated for a minor injury caused by broken glass at a commercial location. Emergency personnel inspected buildings, roads, and public infrastructure throughout the border region.
The initial shaking was mild in Tapachula but intensified, prompting workers and residents to evacuate structures. Similarly, office buildings in Guatemala City were evacuated during the morning commute. The tremor was felt as far as Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, and residents in El Salvador also experienced it. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because the initial energy levels remained below threshold. Authorities continued inspections after the strongest movements subsided.
Tsunami warning lifted following coastal monitoring
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that waves between 0.3 and one meter could reach parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities advised the public to stay away from beaches for six hours. Coastal communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate were monitored while the alert remained active. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level increase of approximately 0.3 meters. The tsunami threat was officially ended at 17:02 UTC after reviewing available data.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and triggered a series of strong aftershocks. Seismic data indicated at least 10 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.9 to 6 during the initial monitoring period. Guatemala’s disaster response agency activated national protocols and assessed damage in western departments. The education ministry suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu. Authorities also investigated reports of minor landslides affecting roads in western Guatemala.
Inspections reveal limited structural damage
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial reports indicated no significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also confirmed there was no serious impact. Oaxaca’s Governor Salomón Jara mentioned that residents experienced moderate shaking with no major damage reported. Local authorities established assessment routes and checked hospitals, schools, bridges, and utilities. Civil protection teams urged residents to report cracks, falling debris, or blocked roads via official channels.
The quake occurred near the Mexico-Guatemala border, where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath the North American and Caribbean plates. This tectonic interaction frequently causes earthquakes along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, two injuries had been confirmed, but no fatalities. No widespread damage had been reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. The tsunami threat had been lifted, and seismic agencies continued to monitor aftershocks and update data on the event.