USGS revises Mexican earthquake magnitude to 7.3 as tsunami alerts trigger regional evacuations
Authorities in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador report no immediate damage or casualties following the magnitude 7.3 tremor, though residents were urged to avoid coastal areas due to potential water level rises.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast near the state of Chiapas on Friday, prompting immediate tsunami alerts and evacuations in neighbouring Guatemala and El Salvador. The US Geological Survey (USGS) revised its initial assessment of the event, lowering the magnitude from 7.4 and adjusting the depth from 10km to 15.2km.
The US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for coasts within 300km of the epicentre, predicting potential wave heights of 0.3 to 1 metre. In response, Mexico's Secretary of the Navy, Raymundo Morales, advised residents to stay away from beaches, estimating water level rises of up to half a metre. Despite the warnings, Morales stated during a government press conference that there was "no problem, no serious maritime impact" expected.
Evacuations were reported in Guatemala and El Salvador as the tremor shook buildings and triggered security protocols. In Guatemala City, local media captured footage of staff evacuating a government building. Residents described scenes of panic, with some dashing from their homes onto the streets. The incident has drawn comparisons to the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026, which caused significant damage in Caracas and coastal areas.
Alexander Valdez, a 29-year-old accountant in Guatemala City, told Reuters he fled his eighth-floor apartment due to fear triggered by the recent Venezuelan disasters. Adolfo Zacarias, a 43-year-old customer service worker, sought shelter under a structural column, noting that the memories of the Venezuelan earthquakes had resurfaced.
No immediate damage or casualties were reported at the time of the alert. A series of aftershocks, including some with magnitudes between 5 and 6, were felt across the region. The USGS continues to monitor the seismic activity, while local authorities maintain their cautionary stance regarding coastal access.
