CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday, sending strong tremors across Chiapas and neighboring countries. The U.S. Geological Survey located the epicenter about 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán. It measured the quake at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The earthquake occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Authorities reported two injuries but no deaths or major structural damage.
Emergency crews began inspections across southern Mexico soon after the shaking stopped. In Tapachula, a woman jumped about four meters from an apartment building during the earthquake. She suffered fractures and received hospital treatment. Officials said her condition did not threaten her life. Another person sustained a minor injury from broken glass inside a business. Civil protection teams checked homes, schools, hospitals, roads and public buildings for cracks, fallen materials and other signs of damage.
Residents felt the earthquake across southern Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. The shaking also reached Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. Workers left offices and other buildings in Guatemala City as the tremor intensified. Mexico City’s seismic alarm did not activate because early energy readings remained below the required threshold. Authorities in affected areas opened emergency assessment routes and asked residents to report damaged structures, blocked roads and unsafe utility lines.
Tsunami alert ends after coastal checks
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned that waves between 0.3 and one meter could affect parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval officials advised people to stay away from beaches for six hours. Coastal teams monitored communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate while the warning remained active. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level increase of about 0.3 meters. The center later ended the tsunami threat after reviewing observations from the affected coastline.
The main earthquake followed a smaller offshore tremor and triggered several strong aftershocks. Early monitoring recorded at least 10 aftershocks with magnitudes between 4.9 and 6. Guatemala activated national emergency procedures and inspected western departments near the Mexican border. Education authorities suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez and Retalhuleu. Road crews also examined reports of minor landslides and falling debris along routes in western Guatemala.
Officials report limited regional damage
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said preliminary assessments found no significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported no serious impact from the earthquake. Officials in Oaxaca said residents felt moderate shaking without major damage. Local governments continued checks of bridges, hospitals, schools and utility networks. Emergency authorities urged the public to follow official safety guidance during aftershocks. They also advised residents to avoid damaged buildings until trained inspectors completed structural reviews.
The earthquake occurred near a highly active boundary where the Cocos Plate moves beneath nearby tectonic plates. This zone produces frequent seismic activity along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities had confirmed two injuries and no fatalities. Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador had not reported widespread structural damage. Coastal monitoring showed no continuing tsunami threat. Seismic agencies continued recording aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections moved forward.