The earthquake was centered off the coast of Chiapas and was felt in Guatemala and El Salvador; authorities deployed emergency protocols and recommended staying away from coastal areas due to possible sea level rises
SANTO DOMINGO.- A magnitude 7.4 earthquake shook the coast of the Mexican state of Chiapas on Friday, near the border with Guatemala, generating a tsunami warning for sectors of the Mexican Pacific coast and causing evacuations in public and private buildings in Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.
The earthquake struck around 8:48 a.m. local time and was centered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chiapas, near Puerto Madero, one of the state's main ports. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at a depth of approximately 10 to 15 kilometers.
Although the tremor was strongly felt in several locations, authorities have not yet reported any fatalities or significant structural damage.
Tsunami alert due to possible changes in sea level
Following the earthquake, monitoring agencies activated tsunami alerts due to the possibility of sea level variations in areas near the epicenter.
The Mexican Navy Secretariat recommended that the public stay away from beaches in the hours following the event due to the risk of strong currents in port and coastal areas.
Authorities estimated that the greatest variations could occur on the coast of Chiapas and Oaxaca, with changes of up to 1.05 meters above the usual tide.
The United States tsunami warning system also issued a warning for coastlines located within a radius of approximately 300 kilometers from the epicenter, where possible waves exceeding 0.3 to 1 meter were expected.
Mexico activates protocols and assesses potential damage
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reported that state governments had activated emergency protocols and that local authorities were conducting tours to assess potential damage.
"So far, no major damage has been reported," the president said, noting that she was in communication with the governors of Chiapas and Tabasco.
In Chiapas, the Civil Protection Secretariat reported that a monitoring operation was being maintained in the different regions of the state and that, up to that point, only nervous breakdowns had been registered among some residents.
The earthquake triggered precautionary evacuations in hospitals, government buildings and private establishments, while emergency teams checked the condition of the structures.
The earthquake crossed borders and mobilized Guatemala and El Salvador
The intensity of the earthquake was also felt in Guatemala and El Salvador, where citizens left their homes and offices as a precaution.
In Guatemala City, several buildings were evacuated as authorities activated their security protocols. The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) urged residents to remain calm, check the condition of their homes, and follow official instructions.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo called on the population to act prudently and follow the recommendations of emergency agencies.
In addition, the Ministry of Education suspended in-person classes in several departments as a preventative measure while assessments continued.
In El Salvador, local media reported evacuations in San Salvador, where residents described the shaking as prolonged and intense.
Aftershocks continue to be monitored in the region
After the main earthquake, several aftershocks were recorded, including movements of magnitudes greater than 4, according to reports from seismological agencies.
Authorities are monitoring seismic activity and urged the public to stay tuned to official announcements.
The event occurs in a region with high tectonic activity, where the contact between plates generates frequent seismic movements, especially in the Pacific area known as the Ring of Fire.
Sources consulted:
- The World
- The Vanguard
- DW
- Forbes Central America
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