Mexico City, Mexico – A magnitude 7.4 earthquake was recorded in the Pacific Ocean near southern Mexico this morning, followed by a magnitude 5.6 quake that shook parts of Guatemala and El Salvador.
No damage has been reported yet, but Mexican authorities have issued a tsunami warning.
The quake has raised concerns about the country’s earthquake warning system failing to warn residents in a timely manner.
The epicenter was located 135 km southwest of Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas, Mexico, at a depth of 10 km, Mexico’s National Seismological Survey said.
Mexico’s Digital Platform for Early Warning and Comprehensive Risk Management (SASSLA) said the earthquake prevented it from issuing a national warning in Chiapas due to a lack of sensor systems in the region.
“The earthquake was detected until it reached sensor stations in #Oaxaca (the neighboring state of Chiapas), and its energy no longer exceeded the preset threshold to trigger an #earthquakewarning,” SASSLA said in a post on X.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said at her daily news conference that she had been in contact with the governors of Chiapas and Tabasco and so far no damage had been reported. Minister Sheinbaum also delivered a warning from the Ocean Secretariat, saying, “Please stay away from beaches in the area for the next six hours due to the risk of a tsunami.”
At the same time, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in Guatemala, forcing government officials, including President Bernardo Arevalo, to evacuate the National Palace of Culture.
Marcie Price, who lives in Guatemala City, said: Latin America Report: “We were scared while the earthquake lasted. Usually here it lasts 3-5 seconds, but this time it was about 12 seconds.”
The effects of seismic activity were also felt in El Salvador. Authorities ruled out a tsunami risk but warned citizens to be cautious about swimming, diving and fishing in the coming hours.
Featured image description: Earthquake map.
Featured image source: United States Geological Survey.
