7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Mexico-Guatemala Border, Tsunami Alert Issued

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico's southern Chiapas state on Friday, shaking buildings across Guatemala and El Salvador and prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific coast. Authorities reported no immediate casualties or major damage, but evacuations occurred in several cities.

What happened

The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially reported a magnitude 7.4 quake at a depth of 10 km, later revising it to 7.3 at 15.2 km Source: AP. The epicenter was located 48 km southwest of Aquiles Serdán, near the Guatemala border Source: CNN. A series of aftershocks followed, including a magnitude 5.3 at 9:14 and a 6.0 at 9:20, according to the USGS Source: Mexico News Daily. The quake was felt strongly in Tapachula, where hospital workers evacuated, and in Guatemala City, where residents rushed into streets Source: AP.

Tsunami warning and response

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned of hazardous waves up to 1 meter above tide level for coasts of Mexico and Guatemala Source: CNA. However, Mexico's Navy Secretary Raymundo Morales stated water levels would rise only up to half a meter and urged people to avoid beaches Source: CNN. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum activated emergency protocols and spoke with governors of Chiapas and Tabasco, who reported no damage Source: SCMP. In Mexico City, the seismic alarm did not sound as the initial energy did not exceed thresholds Source: Euronews.