Earthquake Hits Southern Mexican Pacific Coast

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck the southern Pacific coast of Mexico near the Guatemala border on Friday. This seismic event was felt across a wide area, from Mexico City to El Salvador. Authorities in both countries have reported no severe damage or casualties thus far.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) identified the epicenter 48 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Aquiles Serdan, near Chiapas’ coast, at a depth of 15 kilometers (9 miles). Prior to this major quake, a smaller tremor occurred with the epicenter located further out in the ocean.

In Tapachula, a primary city on Mexico’s southern border, the earthquake started with mild tremors that increased in intensity. Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative worker at a public hospital, recounted her experience: 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 to the front courtyard.

Guatemala City experienced similar fears as residents rushed into the streets due to the prolonged shaking during rush hour. In Mexico City, while certain buildings creaked and shook, the earthquake alert did not activate. Officials stated that the energy emitted during the quake’s initial seconds was below the alert thresholds.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reported preliminary assessments indicating no damages. The navy issued a warning to avoid coastal areas for six hours, citing the risk of a tsunami. In Suchiate, a town bordering Guatemala, Mayor Elmer Vázquez Gallardo confirmed ongoing monitoring of coastal areas for potential tsunami threats.

The region’s geological activity often results in earthquakes, some of which can be lethal. Earlier this year, a significant quake shook southern and central Mexico, resulting in two deaths. In 2017, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.1 magnitude claimed hundreds of lives in Mexico City.