Key facts
- A 7.3 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coasts of Mexico and Guatemala.
- A tsunami alert was issued for potential dangerous waves.
- The earthquake's epicenter was approximately 15.2 km deep near Puerto Madero, Mexico.
- Hazardous tsunami waves were possible along the nearby coasts of Mexico and Guatemala.
- Buildings were evacuated in affected areas, and authorities activated emergency protocols.
A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coasts of southern Mexico and Guatemala on Friday, triggering a tsunami warning for nearby coastal areas. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake's epicenter was approximately 15.2 kilometers deep near the fishing town of Puerto Madero in Mexico. The US Tsunami Warning System indicated that hazardous tsunami waves, potentially between 0.3 and 1 meter above tide level, were possible along the nearby coasts of Mexico and Guatemala. Waves were forecast to be less than 0.3 meters above tide level along the coasts of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Honduras. Government agencies in threatened coastal areas were advised to instruct at-risk populations and to follow instructions from local authorities. The tremor was felt with moderate intensity in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, according to Governor Salomón Jara Cruz, with no significant damage reported. Buildings were also shaken in Guatemala and El Salvador, prompting people to run from their homes in Guatemala City.