A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas Friday morning, triggering panic and a temporary tsunami warning.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System has since officially lifted the advisory, confirming the threat has passed. While initial warnings cautioned that waves could reach up to 3 feet above tide levels for some coasts in Mexico and Guatemala, sea level monitoring stations recorded only minor, non-destructive fluctuations.
The quake, which struck near the Mexican city of Puerto Madero, was at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, or 6 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said. Witnesses said it shook buildings in neighboring Guatemala, causing panicked residents to pour into the streets during rush hour.
The tremor was also felt in El Salvador, the Associated Press reported.
The governor of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, Salomón Jara, urged citizens to “remain calm,” adding that the earthquake was felt with “moderate intensity” but that “no significant damage” had been reported so far.
Key Points
- 'We were upstairs when it started shaking'
- In pictures: Powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Mexico
- Navy downplays tsunami risk but advises residents to avoid beaches
- Tsunami threat officially lifted across Mexico and Central America
Powerful earthquake strikes off coast of Mexico
Friday 17 July 2026 16:15 , Daniel Keane
A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck off the coast of Mexico's southern state of Chiapas, triggering a tsunami warning.
The quake, which struck near the Mexican city of Puerto Madero, was at a shallow depth of 10 km, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Tsunami warning issued
Friday 17 July 2026 16:18 , Daniel Keane
Following the tremor, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami threat for the region.
The earthquake shook buildings in Guatemala City, according to a Reuters witness.
The tremor was also felt in El Salvador, another Reuters witness said.
Friday 17 July 2026 16:29 , Sophie Clark
The epicentre of the tremor, mapped at Mexico’s south-west coast, close to the border with Guatemala.
The earthquake was a powerful magnitude of 7.4 off the coast of Mexico's southern state of Chiapas. Its location has triggered concerns of a tsunami.
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No injuries or damage reported yet, state governor says
Friday 17 July 2026 16:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The governor of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca has urged citizens to “remain calm”.
He added the earthquake was felt with “moderate intensity” but said “no significant damage” has been reported.
He wrote on X: “To date, no significant damage has been reported. Citizens are urged to remain calm, follow the authorities' recommendations, and stay informed solely through official channels.”
Se registra sismo de magnitud preliminar 6.8 con epicentro en Chiapas; se percibe en Oaxaca.
— Salomón Jara Cruz (@salomonj) July 17, 2026
El movimiento telúrico fue percibido con intensidad moderada. De manera inmediata, las corporaciones de Protección Civil activaron los protocolos de revisión y monitoreo en las… https://t.co/X7dRmKgk59
Residents ran onto the streets after earthquake felt in Guatemala City
Friday 17 July 2026 16:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
In Guatemala City, the earthquake shook buildings and prompted some residents to dash from their homes on to the street, according to a Reuters witness.
Local media in Guatemala showed footage of staff evacuating a government building as security protocols were activated.
The tremor was also felt in El Salvador, another Reuters witness said.
Where did the earthquake happen?
Friday 17 July 2026 16:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The earthquake occurred off the coast of Mexico's southern state of Chiapas, which has triggered concerns of a tsunami.
People evacuate building following earthquake
Friday 17 July 2026 16:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Picture shows people evacuate a building after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico's southern state of Chiapas.
Tsunami waves up to 1m possible off coasts of Mexico and Guatemala
Friday 17 July 2026 16:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Tsunami waves reaching between 0.3m and 1m above the tide level are possible for some coasts of Guatemala and Mexico, the US Tsunami Warning System has said.
Friday 17 July 2026 17:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Here are the latest photos from the scene. We’ll bring you more as we have them.
'We were upstairs when it started shaking'
Friday 17 July 2026 17:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
In the town of Suchiate, located along the river that separates Mexico from Guatemala, coastal areas are being monitored for risk of a tsunami, according to Mayor Elmer Vázquez Gallardo.
In Tapachula, the main city on Mexico’s southern border, the tremor began mildly but gradually intensified.
“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,” Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative employee at a public hospital in the city, explained to The Associated Press.
In pictures: Powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Mexico
Friday 17 July 2026 17:54 , Jasmine Fernández
USGS revises earthquake magnitude to 7.3 as tsunami threat radius confirmed
Friday 17 July 2026 18:00 , Jasmine Fernández
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has officially downgraded the magnitude of the earthquake off the coast of Chiapas from an initial 7.4 to a 7.3.
Despite the slight revision, scientists emphasize that the tremor remains classified as a major, highly powerful seismic event.
More scenes from the ground in Mexico
Friday 17 July 2026 18:36 , Jasmine Fernández
Navy downplays tsunami risk but advises residents to avoid beaches
Friday 17 July 2026 19:12 , Jasmine Fernández
Mexico’s Secretary of the Navy, Raymundo Morales, stated that water levels were not expected to rise more than 1.5 feet.
“There is no problem, no serious maritime impact,” Morales said during a government press conference. “We only expect some beaches to see a rise in water level of up to half a meter due to the tsunami effect from the earthquake.”
Despite the reassurance, the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center maintained its advisory, warning that waves could still be above normal tide levels along vulnerable stretches of the Mexican and Guatemalan coastlines.
Tsunami threat officially lifted across Mexico and Central America
Friday 17 July 2026 20:31 , Jasmine Fernández
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System has officially lifted its temporary threat advisory, confirming that the danger of a hazardous tsunami has completely passed following today’s 7.3 magnitude earthquake.
No immediate casualties or major damage reported following Chiapas quake
Friday 17 July 2026 22:00 , Jasmine Fernández
Authorities in Mexico and Central America said there were no immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage following the morning’s powerful tremor.
President Sheinbaum reacts to 7.3-magnitude quake
Friday 17 July 2026 22:30 , Jasmine Fernández
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reacted to the powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Chiapas Friday morning.
“Authorities from all three levels of government are conducting inspections in the territory to assess possible structural impacts and coordinate preventive measures,” Sheinbaum wrote on X.
Luego del sismo magnitud 7.4 al suroeste de Huixtla y los registrados en Ciudad Hidalgo, conversé con los gobernadores de Chiapas y Tabasco, estados que no reportan daños hasta el momento. Se activan protocolos en entidades colindantes.
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) July 17, 2026
La Secretaría de Marina recomienda no…
Guatemala City municipal building evacuated after quake
Friday 17 July 2026 23:00 , Jasmine Fernández
Municipal workers gathered outside the Guatemala City municipal building following an evacuation in Guatemala City after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico and parts of Central America.
Why the southern coast of Mexico remains one of the world's primary earthquake zones
Friday 17 July 2026 23:30 , Jasmine Fernández
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows why this region is so volatile. The southern coast of Mexico sits right on the edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Cocos oceanic plate is slowly forcing its way beneath the North American plate.
Over decades, this constant movement builds up massive friction along the plate boundary. When that locked rock finally snaps, it releases the type of shallow, high-intensity earthquake that rattled Chiapas this morning.
Routine grid checks follow widespread morning shaking
Saturday 18 July 2026 00:00 , Jasmine Fernández
Following the morning earthquake, emergency response teams in southern Mexico and Guatemala deployed to assess potential damage to buildings, roads and public utilities.
Initial official reports from civil protection agencies confirmed no immediate widespread destruction or major grid failures.
The Independent's live coverage has ended
02:53 , Brendan Rascius
The Independent’s live coverage of the earthquake in Mexico has ended.
