In brief
A 7.3‑magnitude earthquake hit off southern Mexico’s coast on Friday, sparking a tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific. Authorities reported no fatalities or significant damage, though aftershocks up to magnitude 6 have followed. Mexico’s navy and local governors urged beach caution, while the US Tsunami Warning Center measured only 0.3 m waves. The event also shook Guatemala and El Salvador, prompting evacuations and emergency agency deployments.
A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of southern Mexico on Friday, triggering a tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific. No fatalities or significant damage have been reported in Mexico or Guatemala, and the tremor was also felt in El Salvador.
Mexico's navy secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales said there was "no serious impact" and advised residents to stay away from beaches. The US Tsunami Warning System warned of possible hazardous waves along the coasts of Mexico and Guatemala, but later recorded only 0.3 m waves in Puerto Madero and Chiapas.
Several hours after the warning, officials said the threat had passed and urged people to remain observant and exercise normal caution near the sea.
The quake struck near Puerto Madero at 08:49 local time (14:49 GMT) with a depth of 15.2 km. Governor Salomón Jara Cruz of Oaxaca said it was felt with "moderate intensity" but there was no significant damage, while Chiapas governor Eduardo Ramírez suspended administrative activities to prepare.
In Guatemala and El Salvador, the tremor shook buildings, causing evacuations and prompting some to flee their homes. A series of aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.7 to 6 have been recorded.
Guatemala's President Bernardo Arévalo announced that emergency agencies had been deployed after a 5.6 magnitude quake in Quetzaltenango, with no fatalities so far. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast waves of less than 0.3 m along several coastal countries, lasting 12 to 28 minutes in affected areas. NOAA advised staying alert and following local authorities.
