A catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck the Pacific coast of southern Mexico on Friday, unleashing a chain reaction that has left countries across the region scrambling for safety. The powerful tremor, which hit at 14:49 GMT near the fishing town of Puerto Madero, had a depth of 15.2 kilometres and was felt as far away as Guatemala and El Salvador, prompting evacuations and widespread panic.
Mexican authorities have reported a miraculous absence of fatalities or significant damage so far, despite the quake's immense severity. Admiral Raymundo Morales, Mexico's navy secretary, insisted that there has been "no serious impact" but warned people to avoid beaches, citing concerns about potential tsunamis. Governor Salomón Jara Cruz of Oaxaca and Governor Eduardo Ramírez of Chiapas, whose region is closest to the epicentre, both confirmed that while the quake was felt across their territories, no substantial damage had been reported. Governor Ramírez went a step further, instructing his cabinet to suspend administrative activities and encouraging the private sector to follow suit.
The initial tsunami warning from the US Tsunami Warning System forecast "hazardous tsunami waves" of between 0.3 and 1 metre above tide level for parts of Mexico and Guatemala's coasts. Later reports from the US Tsunami Warning Center revealed waves of 0.3 metres above tide level in Puerto Madero and Chiapas, Mexico. Meanwhile, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also predicted waves of less than 0.3 metres above tide level for the coasts of El Salvador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Honduras.
In Guatemala, President Bernardo Arévalo confirmed that his country's emergency management agency was on high alert following a related magnitude 5.6 earthquake with its epicentre in Quetzaltenango. He urged the population to remain calm and follow official instructions. A series of aftershocks, ranging from 4.7 to 6 in magnitude, have also been recorded since the initial quake.
The threat posed by tsunamis is a pressing concern for coastal populations worldwide. Characterised by waves that can persist for hours, these events pose significant danger and are often fatal if individuals caught in tsunami waters do not seek immediate shelter. Government agencies in affected areas have been advised to instruct at-risk populations and urge residents to stay vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.