CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off southern Mexico on Friday, causing tremors across communities in Chiapas, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S. Geological Survey identified the epicenter as 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, with a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The quake hit at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. By Saturday, officials confirmed no fatalities or significant structural damage, with two individuals injured in southern Mexico.
Tapachula civil protection director Demetrio Martínez reported two injuries related to the tremor. A woman in her 30s jumped approximately four meters from her apartment building after experiencing distress. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized, though officials assured her condition was not life-threatening. Another person received treatment for a minor injury caused by broken glass at a commercial establishment. Emergency crews conducted inspections of buildings, roads, and public infrastructure throughout the border region.
Initially mild, the tremor intensified in Tapachula, prompting workers and residents to evacuate buildings. Similar evacuations occurred in Guatemala City during the morning commute as well. The tremor was felt in Mexico City, hundreds of kilometers away from the epicenter, and was also experienced in El Salvador. Mexico City’s seismic alert system was not triggered because initial energy readings did not meet activation criteria. Authorities continued inspections after the strongest shaking subsided.
Tsunami warning lifted following coastal monitoring
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that waves between 0.3 and one meter could impact parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval officials advised residents to stay away from beaches for six hours. Coastal monitoring was conducted near Puerto Madero and Suchiate as the alert remained active, with instruments at Puerto Madero recording a sea-level rise of roughly 0.3 meters. The tsunami threat was officially canceled at 17:02 UTC after officials reviewed available data.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by a series of strong aftershocks. Seismic analysis revealed at least 10 aftershocks between magnitude 4.9 and 6 during the early phase of monitoring. Guatemala’s disaster management agency activated its response protocols and inspected western departments for damage. The education ministry suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu. Reports of minor landslides blocking roads in western Guatemala were also examined by authorities.
Limited damage found during 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 reported residents experienced moderate shaking without major damages. Local authorities set up assessment routes and checked 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 activity causes frequent earthquakes along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities confirmed two injuries but no deaths. No widespread damage was reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. The tsunami risk had been lifted, while seismic agencies continued to monitor aftershocks and update event information.