GUATEMALA CITY — A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off Mexico's southern Pacific coast near the Guatemala border on Friday, shaking buildings across southern Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador, prompting evacuations and a temporary tsunami warning, while authorities reported no fatalities or major damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck at a depth of about 15 kilometers (9 miles), with its epicenter off the coast of Chiapas state, southwest of Aquiles Serdán. The agency initially estimated the quake at magnitude 7.4 before revising it to 7.3.
Mexico's Navy and the U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued warnings for parts of the Pacific coast following the quake, saying waves of up to about one meter above normal tide levels were possible near the epicenter. Officials later said the expected sea-level changes would be limited, though residents were urged to avoid beaches and low-lying coastal areas as a precaution.
Emergency authorities in Mexico and Guatemala activated response protocols as the tremor was felt across a broad region, including Guatemala City and parts of El Salvador. Office workers, hospital staff and residents evacuated buildings while officials inspected infrastructure and monitored for possible damage.
Mexican authorities reported two injuries in the southern part of the country. According to officials, one woman was injured after jumping from a building during the shaking, while another person was also hurt. No deaths had been confirmed.
Authorities in Guatemala reported no fatalities or significant structural damage, although minor landslides were recorded in some areas and schools were closed in several departments as a precaution while inspections continued.
The USGS recorded multiple aftershocks following the main quake, including several with magnitudes above 5. Emergency management agencies in both countries urged residents to remain alert for additional aftershocks that could trigger localized damage or landslides.
Mexico lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where the interaction of tectonic plates produces frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. Strong earthquakes have repeatedly affected the country's southern Pacific coast.
As of late Friday, emergency inspections and damage assessments were continuing in affected areas, with officials in Mexico and Guatemala maintaining that there had been no reports of widespread destruction or fatalities.
