A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck the southern coast of Mexico near the Guatemala border on Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was accompanied by at least five aftershocks measuring over 5.0 on the Richter scale and resulted in a tsunami alert.
Initial reports from news agencies France Presse and Reuters indicate that authorities have not yet reported significant damage. The earthquake occurred off the Pacific Ocean at a shallow depth of just 18 kilometers, at approximately 09:48 local time (17:48 in Romania), about 50 kilometers from the coastal city of Puerto Madero in the state of Chiapas.
The tremor was felt in the neighboring Mexican state of Oaxaca, as well as in Guatemala and El Salvador, according to AFP correspondents.
In the aftermath, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System announced that dangerous tsunami waves could occur along coasts within a 300-kilometer radius of the epicenter.
In Guatemala City, residents reported buildings shaking, prompting some to rush out of their homes, as noted by witnesses cited by Reuters. Local media in the Guatemalan capital broadcast images of employees evacuating a government building following the activation of security protocols.
Reports also indicated that the earthquake was felt in El Salvador, with witnesses from the neighboring country confirming the tremors.
In Oaxaca, the state governor, Salomón Jara, mentioned on social media that the quake was felt moderately in the state capital, but no significant damage had been reported immediately.
