Strong quake felt across Mexico and Central America
A powerful earthquake struck Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday near the border with Guatemala, sending tremors across a wide area from Mexico City to El Salvador. Authorities reported no major structural damage or fatalities, although two people were injured in southern Mexico.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the earthquake at magnitude 7.3, with its epicentre located 48 kilometres southwest of Aquiles Serdán, near the coast of Chiapas, at a depth of approximately 15 kilometres.
The main earthquake was preceded by a smaller tremor further offshore, followed by at least 10 aftershocks ranging between magnitude 4.9 and 6.0, according to USGS data.
Residents evacuate in southern Mexico
In Tapachula, the largest city near Mexico’s southern border, residents initially felt light shaking before the intensity increased.
Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative worker at a public hospital in the city, said employees evacuated after realizing the shaking was becoming stronger.
“We were upstairs on the second floor when it started shaking; we thought it would pass, but then it got stronger, so we all went downstairs and evacuated in an orderly manner,” she said.
Demetrio Martínez, head of Tapachula’s Civil Protection agency, reported that a woman in her 30s suffered a panic reaction and jumped from an apartment building. She was transported to hospital with fractures but was not considered to be in life-threatening condition.
Another person suffered a minor injury caused by broken glass at a nearby business, according to local authorities.
Guatemala reports evacuations but no major damage
The earthquake was also strongly felt in Guatemala, where many residents evacuated buildings and gathered in the streets during morning rush hour.
Guatemala’s National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction reported no immediate serious damage. However, videos shared online showed possible landslides, particularly on roads in western areas of the country.
The Ministry of Education temporarily suspended in-person classes in the departments of San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez and Retalhuleu, which are located close to the earthquake’s epicentre.
Mexico City feels shaking but alert system does not activate
In Mexico City, some buildings shook and residents reported feeling the earthquake. However, the city’s earthquake warning system was not activated.
Authorities explained that the energy released during the first seconds of the earthquake did not exceed the required thresholds for triggering the alert.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said preliminary reports indicated there was no significant damage following the earthquake.
Tsunami warnings issued along the coast
Mexico’s Navy advised people to avoid coastal areas for six hours due to a potential tsunami risk following the offshore earthquake.
The Chiapas Meteorological Service warned that waves of up to one metre could affect coastal areas of Mexico and Guatemala.
Authorities in Suchiate, a town located along the river separating Mexico and Guatemala, monitored coastal conditions for possible tsunami activity.
El Salvador also feels earthquake
The earthquake was felt strongly in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, although officials reported no deaths or significant damage.
The country’s Ministry of Environment also recorded a separate smaller earthquake offshore near the department of Usulután in eastern El Salvador.
Earthquake-prone region faces recurring risks
The Pacific coast region of Mexico and Central America is highly vulnerable to seismic activity due to its location along active tectonic zones.
Earlier this year, a strong earthquake affecting southern and central Mexico killed two people. In 2017, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused hundreds of deaths in Mexico City and surrounding areas.
