Powerful Earthquake Strikes Off Mexico’s Southern Coast, Triggers Tsunami Threat

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas near the border with Guatemala on Friday, prompting tsunami warnings and sending residents fleeing buildings across southern Mexico, Guatemala and parts of El Salvador.

The shallow earthquake struck near the Pacific coast close to the town of Puerto Madero at a depth of about 10 kilometres (6 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was widely felt across the region, causing panic as buildings swayed and emergency evacuations were carried out.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued a tsunami threat for coastal areas of Mexico and Guatemala, warning that hazardous waves could affect communities located within approximately 300 kilometres (186 miles) of the earthquake’s epicentre. Authorities urged residents in low-lying coastal areas to move to higher ground as a precaution while emergency agencies assessed the situation.

In Guatemala City, office workers and residents rushed into the streets as prolonged shaking was felt across the capital during the afternoon. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring El Salvador, although there were no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties. Emergency response teams were deployed to inspect infrastructure and monitor vulnerable areas.

Mexican civil protection authorities said they were conducting inspections in Chiapas and nearby coastal communities while monitoring for possible aftershocks. Officials urged the public to remain alert and follow instructions issued by emergency services until the tsunami threat had passed.

The earthquake occurred along the Middle America Trench, where the Cocos Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate, making southern Mexico and Central America one of the world’s most seismically active regions. Seismologists said strong aftershocks remain possible in the coming days.

Authorities in both Mexico and Guatemala said assessments were ongoing, and additional information would be released as emergency crews completed inspections across the affected areas.