The powerful earthquake was felt from southern Mexico to El Salvador and produced at least five significant aftershocks, though officials initially reported no major damage or casualties.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast near the border with Guatemala on Friday, shaking communities across the region and prompting authorities to warn residents to stay away from beaches because of a possible tsunami threat.
The earthquake was felt from Mexico City to El Salvador. Authorities in the affected countries did not immediately report severe damage or casualties.
The U.S. Geological Survey placed the epicenter approximately 30 miles southwest of Aquiles Serdán, near the coast of the Mexican state of Chiapas. The earthquake occurred at a depth of about nine miles.
A smaller earthquake with an epicenter farther into the Pacific Ocean preceded the main tremor.
At least five aftershocks ranging from magnitude 5.1 to 6 followed, according to the USGS.
The shaking began mildly in Tapachula, the largest city along Mexico’s southern border, before becoming substantially stronger.
Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative employee at a public hospital in Tapachula, said she and others initially expected the shaking to stop before deciding to evacuate.
“We were upstairs on the second floor when it started shaking; we thought it would pass, but then it got stronger, so we all went downstairs and evacuated in an orderly manner to the front courtyard,” Mendoza told The Associated Press.
The earthquake also frightened residents in Guatemala City because of its extended duration. Many people left buildings and gathered in the streets during the morning rush hour as the workday was beginning.
The tremor reached Mexico City, where buildings in some neighborhoods creaked and swayed.
Mexico’s earthquake-warning system did not activate in the capital. The government said “the energy radiated by the earthquake during the first few seconds did not exceed the activation thresholds.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said preliminary assessments indicated that the earthquake had not caused damage.
The Mexican navy advised residents and visitors to avoid beaches for six hours because of the potential for tsunami activity.
The Meteorological Service of Chiapas warned that tsunami waves measuring as high as 3.3 feet could reach parts of the Mexican and Guatemalan coasts.
Officials in Suchiate, a municipality along the river separating Mexico and Guatemala, began monitoring coastal areas for possible tsunami effects, Mayor Elmer Vázquez Gallardo said.
The earthquake-prone region has experienced several destructive tremors in recent years.
Earlier this year, a strong earthquake struck southern and central Mexico and killed two people.
In 2017, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused widespread destruction and killed hundreds of people in Mexico City.
Friday’s earthquake was stronger by magnitude, but initial reports indicated that the offshore location had limited immediate damage on land.
Authorities continued assessing buildings, infrastructure and coastal conditions while monitoring the continuing aftershocks and possible tsunami risk.
Original article
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