A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of southern Mexico near the Guatemala border on Friday, sending strong tremors across Guatemala and El Salvador and briefly triggering tsunami alerts along parts of the region’s coastline.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck near the coast of Chiapas at a depth of about 15 kilometers. The tremor was felt hundreds of kilometers away, prompting residents to evacuate buildings in cities across southern Mexico, Guatemala City and parts of El Salvador.
Emergency authorities in Mexico and neighboring countries activated disaster response protocols immediately after the quake. Initial tsunami warnings were issued for sections of the Pacific coast, with authorities warning of possible waves of up to one meter. However, the alerts were later downgraded after assessments showed no significant tsunami threat.
Despite the earthquake’s strength, officials reported no major structural damage or fatalities. In southern Mexico, two people sustained minor injuries during hurried evacuations, while parts of Guatemala experienced small landslides and temporary school closures as a precaution. Multiple aftershocks, some above magnitude 5.0, were also recorded throughout the day.
Mexico sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the world’s most seismically active regions, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks and continue following official safety guidance as inspections of infrastructure continue across affected areas.
