CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the southern coast of 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, authorities confirmed no fatalities or major structural damage, with only two injuries reported in southern Mexico.
Tapachula civil protection chief Demetrio Martínez indicated that two individuals were injured due to the tremor. One woman in her 30s jumped about four meters from an apartment building after becoming distressed, sustaining fractures but was not in life-threatening condition. Another person was treated for a minor injury caused by broken glass at a business. Emergency crews inspected buildings, roads, and public facilities across the border region.
The initial tremor was mild in Tapachula before intensifying, leading workers and residents to evacuate buildings. Similar evacuations occurred in Guatemala City during the morning commute. The tremor was felt in Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, and also in El Salvador. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because the initial energy readings remained below threshold levels. Officials continued inspecting infrastructure after the strongest shaking subsided.
Tsunami warning lifted following coastal assessments
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 monitoring around Puerto Madero and Suchiate continued as long as the alert was active. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea level rise of approximately 0.3 meters. The warning was canceled at 17:02 UTC after reviewing available data from observations.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by multiple strong aftershocks. Seismic data indicated at least 10 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.9 to 6 during early monitoring. Guatemala’s disaster response agency activated national protocols and checked western departments for damage. The education ministry suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu. Authorities also reported minor landslides along some roads in western Guatemala.
Limited damage 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 earthquake. In Oaxaca, Governor Salomón Jara noted residents experienced moderate shaking without major damage. Local authorities opened assessment routes and inspected hospitals, schools, bridges, and utility networks. Civil protection teams urged residents to report any cracks, falling debris, or blocked roads through official emergency 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 triggers earthquakes along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities had confirmed two injuries but no fatalities. No widespread damage was reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. The tsunami threat had been lifted, and seismic agencies continued monitoring aftershocks and updating event information.