Magnitude 7.3 earthquake quake strikes off Mexico coast

What the report says

BBC World News reported that a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck offshore near southern Mexico on Friday, prompting tsunami alerts along parts of the Pacific coast. The quake occurred near the fishing town of Puerto Madero at 08:49 local time, or 14:49 GMT, and was measured at a depth of 15.2km, according to the United States Geological Survey cited by the BBC.

Authorities in Mexico said there were no confirmed deaths or major damage in the immediate aftermath. Mexico’s navy secretary, Admiral Raymundo Morales, said officials had not identified serious impacts but advised people to avoid beaches. Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz said the tremor was felt at moderate intensity, while Chiapas Governor Eduardo Ramírez said he suspended administrative work and encouraged private employers to do the same.

The US Tsunami Warning System initially warned that hazardous waves could affect nearby coasts in Mexico and Guatemala. It later recorded waves 0.3m above tide level at Puerto Madero and in Chiapas before saying the threat had passed, while still urging caution near the sea. NOAA, which operates the warning centre, also forecast smaller waves for several other Pacific-facing countries in Central and South America.

The BBC said the earthquake was felt in Guatemala and El Salvador, where Reuters reported evacuations from buildings and homes. Aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.7 to 6 were recorded. Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo said emergency officials had been deployed after a separate magnitude 5.6 quake with an epicentre in Quetzaltenango, and urged the public to stay calm and follow official guidance.