CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off southern Mexico on Friday, causing shaking in communities across Chiapas, Guatemala and El Salvador. The U.S. Geological Survey identified the epicenter 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, with a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The event occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. By Saturday, officials reported no fatalities or major structural damage. Two individuals sustained injuries in southern Mexico.
Tapachula civil protection chief Demetrio Martínez indicated that two injuries were related to the tremor. A woman in her 30s jumped approximately four meters from an apartment building after becoming distressed, sustaining fractures but not in life-threatening condition. Another person was treated for a minor injury caused by broken glass at a business. Emergency crews conducted inspections of buildings, roads, and public infrastructure across the border region.
The tremor started mildly in Tapachula before intensifying, prompting workers and residents to evacuate buildings. Similarly, offices in Guatemala City were cleared during the morning rush hour. The shaking was felt in Mexico City, located hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, and also in El Salvador. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because initial energy readings remained below the threshold. Authorities continued inspections after the strongest shaking subsided.
Tsunami warning lifted following coastal assessments
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a statement indicating that waves between 0.3 and one meter might reach sections of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval authorities advised the public to stay away from beaches for six hours. Coastal monitoring was conducted near Puerto Madero and Suchiate while the alert was active. Instruments at Puerto Madero recorded a sea-level increase of approximately 0.3 meters. The tsunami threat was officially canceled at 17:02 UTC after reviewing available data.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by a series of significant aftershocks. Seismic data revealed at least 10 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.9 to 6 during early monitoring. Guatemala’s disaster response agency activated national procedures and assessed damage in western departments. The education ministry suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez and Retalhuleu. Authorities also examined reports of minor landslides along roads in western Guatemala.
Limited damage reported after regional assessments
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial reports indicated no significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also confirmed there were no serious impacts from the earthquake. In Oaxaca, Governor Salomón Jara noted residents experienced moderate shaking with no major damage reported. Local authorities set up assessment routes and checked hospitals, schools, bridges, and utilities. 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, where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath the North American and Caribbean plates. This tectonic environment is responsible for frequent seismic activity along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities confirmed two injuries but no fatalities. No widespread damage was reported by officials in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. The tsunami threat had been lifted, and seismic agencies continued to monitor aftershocks and update event data.