Powerful 7.3 earthquake strikes off Mexico, shakes Guatemala and El Salvador
Strong offshore quake triggered tsunami warnings and widespread evacuations, but authorities reported no immediate deaths or major damage
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (MNTV) — A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday, sending strong tremors across Guatemala and El Salvador, triggering tsunami warnings and prompting thousands of people to evacuate buildings, although authorities reported no immediate casualties or significant damage.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 15.2 kilometers (9.4 miles) beneath the Pacific Ocean. The agency revised its initial estimate from magnitude 7.4 after further analysis.
The epicenter was located approximately 58 kilometers (36 miles) southwest of Puerto Madero in Mexico’s southern Chiapas state.
Following the earthquake, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System warned that hazardous tsunami waves could affect coastlines within a 300-kilometer (186-mile) radius of the epicenter.
Forecasts indicated wave heights between 0.3 and 1 meter above normal tide levels along parts of the Mexican and Guatemalan coasts.
Mexico’s Navy advised residents to stay away from beaches as a precaution, although officials said they did not expect a significant tsunami.
Navy Secretary Raymundo Morales said sea levels were unlikely to rise by more than half a meter and stressed there was no indication of serious maritime impacts.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said emergency response protocols were activated immediately after the quake. Authorities in Chiapas and neighboring Tabasco reported no major damage or injuries during initial assessments.
In neighboring Guatemala, President Bernardo Arévalo confirmed there were no reported fatalities. Emergency services carried out inspections while residents evacuated homes, offices and public buildings as a precaution.
The tremor was strongly felt across Guatemala City, where office workers and residents rushed into the streets after buildings began swaying. Local television broadcast images of government offices being evacuated as emergency safety procedures were implemented.
Several residents described moments of panic as the shaking continued for several seconds. Many said the earthquake revived memories of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June, prompting them to quickly leave multi-story buildings or seek shelter inside reinforced structures.
Authorities also reported a series of aftershocks across southern Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador, including several measuring between magnitude 5 and 6.
Emergency agencies across the region continued monitoring seismic activity and coastal conditions while engineers assessed infrastructure for possible structural damage.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
