Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes off Mexico's Pacific coast, tsunami alerts issued for Mexico and Guatemala
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico, on Friday, shaking buildings as far as Mexico City and triggering tsunami warnings for Mexico and Guatemala. The shallow quake, at a depth of 10 km, was followed by aftershocks of up to 6.1 magnitude.
The earthquake
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of southern Mexico on Friday, 17 July, at 08:48 local time (14:48 GMT). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicentre roughly 48 km southwest of Aquiles Serdán in Chiapas state, near Puerto Madero, at a shallow depth of 10 km. Mexico's National Seismological Service also reported a magnitude of 7.4, while some international agencies cited 7.3. The tremor was felt across a wide area, including Oaxaca, Mexico City, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Tsunami warnings
The US Tsunami Warning Center issued tsunami threat alerts for Mexico and Guatemala shortly after the quake. Navy Minister Raymundo Morales said sea levels could rise by up to half a metre and urged residents to stay away from the coast. Preventive evacuations were ordered in parts of Chiapas, particularly in the border town of Frontera Hidalgo.
There are no major damages.
Aftershocks and damage assessments
Several aftershocks followed the main shock, including one of magnitude 6.1 recorded by the Mexican Seismological Institute and another of 5.3 reported by AFP. Chiapas civil protection director Arturo Barrientos told broadcaster N+ that no deaths or injuries had been reported so far, though damage assessment protocols remained active. The national civil protection coordination (Cnpc) said it was maintaining contact with state and municipal authorities for a preliminary evaluation of the affected area.
No deaths or injuries have been reported.
Following this event, we are maintaining contact with state and municipal civil protection authorities to carry out a first assessment of the affected area.
Official response
President Claudia Sheinbaum held a press conference in Tulum, where Morales provided the initial update. The Cnpc stated that the quake was perceived strongly, without reports of effects, and confirmed that emergency protocols had been activated. People in Chiapas poured into the streets as the ground shook, but no structural collapses were immediately reported.
- Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes off Chiapas coast
- US Tsunami Warning Center issues threat alerts for Mexico and Guatemala
- Mexican Seismological Institute records a 6.1 aftershock
- AFP reports a 5.3 aftershock
- Navy Minister Morales and President Sheinbaum address the media, reporting no major damage
- Preventive evacuations ordered in Chiapas, especially Frontera Hidalgo
