Powerful earthquake off Mexico's Chiapas coast triggers tsunami alert, sparks evacuations
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the coasts of Mexico and Guatemala on Friday, July 17, 2026. The epicenter was located off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico, at a depth of about 15 kilometers. The quake triggered a tsunami alert for several areas of the Pacific, which was later lifted, but authorities continue to warn of potential waves and coastal flooding.
The earthquake was felt strongly from southern Mexico to El Salvador, prompting evacuations of buildings in several cities. In Tapachula, a major city near the Guatemalan border, residents described the shaking as initially mild but gradually intensifying, leading to evacuations. "We were on the second floor when the shaking started. We thought it would stop quickly, but it kept getting stronger, so we went downstairs and evacuated to the courtyard," said Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative worker at a public hospital in the city.
In Guatemala City, the length of the quake alarmed residents, prompting hundreds to rush into the streets during the evening rush hour. In Mexico City, some buildings were seen swaying, but the city's seismic alert system was not activated because the energy released by the earthquake during the first few seconds did not exceed the activation thresholds.
Authorities in both Mexico and Guatemala activated emergency response protocols and began inspecting buildings and infrastructure for possible damage. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center maintained its advisory, warning of waves between 30 centimeters and one meter that could reach the coasts of Mexico and Guatemala. Residents have been urged to stay away from the shoreline due to the risk of strong currents and coastal flooding.
In the Mexican town of Suchiate, on the river that forms the border with Guatemala, authorities are monitoring sea conditions amid the tsunami threat, according to Mayor Elmer Vázquez Gallardo. In Guatemala, the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) reported no immediate damage, but social media users posted videos of landslides on roads heading west. The Ministry of Education in Guatemala suspended in-person classes in several departments near the quake's epicenter.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that preliminary reports showed no major damage. However, there were reports of two injuries in southern Mexico. Demetrio Martínez, head of the city's Civil Protection agency in Tapachula, said a Haitian migrant woman in her 30s suffered a nervous breakdown and jumped from a height of about four meters, resulting in fractures. Another minor injury was reported from a broken window at a nearby business.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) identified the quake's epicenter 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, off the coast of Chiapas, at a depth of 15 kilometers. The main quake was preceded by a smaller earthquake with an epicenter farther offshore and followed by at least 10 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.9 to 6.
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