By Reuters |
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas on Friday, prompting a tsunami warning and causing strong tremors across Guatemala and El Salvador.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 15.2 kilometres, revising its earlier estimate of a 7.4 magnitude quake at a depth of 10 kilometres.
Following the tremor, the US Tsunami Warning System warned that hazardous tsunami waves could affect coastal areas within 300 kilometres of the epicentre. Wave heights between 0.3 and 1 metre above normal tide levels were considered possible along parts of the Mexican and Guatemalan coasts.
Mexico’s Secretary of the Navy, Raymundo Morales, said water levels were not expected to rise by more than half a metre, but advised residents and visitors to stay away from beaches as a precaution.
“There is no problem, no serious maritime impact. We only expect some beaches to see a rise in water level of up to half a metre due to the tsunami effect from the earthquake,” Morales said during a government press conference.
The quake was followed by several aftershocks, including some measuring between magnitude 5 and 6, which were felt in Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Residents Evacuate Buildings
In Guatemala City, the shaking caused buildings to sway and sent many residents rushing into the streets. Local media showed employees evacuating government offices as emergency safety protocols were activated.
Alexander Valdez, a 29-year-old accountant who lives on the eighth floor of an apartment building, said the tremor was frightening.
“I got really scared and it reminded me of the recent earthquake in Venezuela. So I ran out and went down the stairs because I live on the eighth floor. The shaking wouldn’t stop,” he told Reuters.
Another resident, Adolfo Zacarias, 43, said he sought shelter under a structural column inside his building.
“The memories of what recently happened in Venezuela came back to us and that scared us a lot,” he said.
Venezuela Earthquake Memories
The latest quake revived concerns across the region following the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. Those tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, occurred less than a minute apart and caused significant damage in Caracas and nearby coastal areas, triggering extensive rescue and relief operations.
Authorities in Mexico and neighbouring countries continued monitoring the situation on Friday while emergency teams remained on alert for possible aftershocks and coastal impacts.
