A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast on Friday, occurring directly along the border with Guatemala. The seismic event was felt across a wide region, ranging from Mexico City to El Salvador. Despite the intensity of the quake, authorities have not reported any significant damage or casualties in either country. A temporary tsunami alert, which was issued shortly after the tremor, was lifted approximately one hour later.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake's epicenter was located 30 miles southwest of Aquiles Serdan, near the coast of Chiapas, at a depth of 9 miles. The primary event was preceded by a smaller earthquake further out in the ocean, and the USGS recorded at least five aftershocks ranging between magnitude 5.1 and 6.0.
In Tapachula, the largest city on Mexico’s southern border, the shaking began mildly before intensifying. Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative employee at a local public hospital, described the 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."
Residents in Guatemala City also reported feeling the earthquake, noting its long duration, which sent many people into the streets during the morning rush hour. In Mexico City, some buildings shook, though the government stated that the official earthquake alert system did not activate because the energy radiated during the initial seconds did not exceed established thresholds.
While the U.S. Tsunami Warning System initially cautioned that hazardous waves were possible within 186 miles of the epicenter, the threat was later declared over. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that preliminary assessments showed no damage, though the navy advised residents to avoid beaches for six hours as a precaution. The Meteorological Service of Chiapas had initially warned of potential waves up to 3.3 feet, and Mayor Elmer Vázquez Gallardo confirmed that coastal areas in the town of Suchiate, located along the river separating the two nations, were being monitored for risks.
This region is historically prone to seismic activity. Earlier this year, a strong quake in southern and central Mexico resulted in two deaths, and the 2017 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Mexico City caused hundreds of fatalities. Globally, the event occurred as Venezuela continues to recover from twin tremors on June 24 that claimed over 4,800 lives and caused widespread structural collapse in the state of La Guaira.
