CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off southern Mexico on Friday, causing tremors across communities in Chiapas, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter was located 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, officials confirmed no fatalities or major structural damages, although two individuals were injured in southern Mexico.
Tapachula civil protection director Demetrio Martínez stated that two injuries were related to the quake. One woman in her 30s jumped approximately four meters from an apartment building after becoming distressed, suffering fractures and being hospitalized, but authorities assured her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual received treatment for a minor injury caused by broken glass at a commercial establishment. Emergency teams conducted inspections of buildings, roads, and public facilities across the border region.
The tremor initially presented mild in Tapachula before intensifying, prompting occupants and workers to evacuate buildings. Similar evacuations took place in Guatemala City during the morning rush hour. The tremor was felt as far as Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, and also in El Salvador. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because initial energy readings stayed below the threshold. Authorities continued assessments after the strongest shaking subsided.
Tsunami warning lifted following coastal monitoring
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued an alert indicating that waves ranging from 0.3 to one meter could reach parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities advised the public to avoid beaches for six hours. Coastal regions near Puerto Madero and Suchiate remained under observation while the alert was active. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level increase of about 0.3 meters. The tsunami threat was officially canceled at 17:02 UTC after reviewing all available data.
The main earthquake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and triggered a series of strong aftershocks. Seismic data indicated at least 10 aftershocks between magnitudes 4.9 and 6 during the initial monitoring phase. 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 checked reports of minor landslides on roads in western Guatemala.
Limited damages found in regional inspections
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that early reports indicated no significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported no serious impacts from the earthquake. 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 networks. Civil protection teams urged residents to report any cracks, falling debris, or blocked roads via official emergency channels.
The quake occurred near the Mexico-Guatemala border, an area 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, authorities confirmed two injuries but no deaths. No widespread damage had been reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. The tsunami threat had been lifted, while seismic agencies continued to monitor aftershocks and update event details.