A powerful earthquake struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast on Friday, July 17, near the border with Guatemala. The tremor, centered near the town of Puerto Madero in the state of Chiapas, had a magnitude reported between 7.3 and 7.4. The U.S. Geological Survey stated the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 to 15 kilometers, with the epicenter located 30 miles southwest of Aquiles Serdan.
Following the tremor, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System warned that hazardous tsunami waves were possible along coasts located within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. Despite these warnings, no immediate reports of casualties or major damage were issued by authorities.
The earthquake was felt across three countries, shaking buildings in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. In Guatemala City, the tremor prompted residents to dash into the streets and caused the evacuation of a government building as security protocols were activated. In the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, the earthquake was felt with moderate intensity in the state capital, but no serious damage was immediately reported.