Tsunami Warning Triggered After 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Mexico CoastlineYour support helps us to tell the story
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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.
Tsunami threat officially lifted across Mexico and Central America
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.
Jasmine Fernández17 July 2026 20:31
Navy downplays tsunami risk but advises residents to avoid beaches
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.
Jasmine Fernández17 July 2026 19:12
Jasmine Fernández17 July 2026 18:36
USGS revises earthquake magnitude to 7.3 as tsunami threat radius confirmed
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.
Jasmine Fernández17 July 2026 18:00
In pictures: Powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Mexico
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
Jasmine Fernández17 July 2026 17:54
‘We were upstairs when it started shaking’
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.
(USGS)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain17 July 2026 17:20
Here are the latest photos from the scene. We’ll bring you more as we have them.
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain17 July 2026 17:06
Tsunami waves up to 1m possible off coasts of Mexico and Guatemala
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.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain17 July 2026 16:57
People evacuate building following earthquake
Picture shows people evacuate a building after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas.
(Reuters)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain17 July 2026 16:52
Where did the earthquake happen?
The earthquake occurred off the coast of Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas, which has triggered concerns of a tsunami.
(USGS)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain17 July 2026 16:45