Get you up to speed: Powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes Mexico triggering tsunami alert | News World
A tsunami warning has been issued following a powerful earthquake recorded at a magnitude of 7.3 near Puerto Madero, Mexico. As of now, no fatalities have been reported, and authorities are monitoring the situation while advising residents to stay away from beaches for the next six hours.
The US Tsunami Warning System has indicated that hazardous waves could reach between 0.3m and 1m above tide levels, impacting coasts within 186 miles of the earthquake’s epicentre. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that inspections are underway to assess structural impacts, with authorities confirming no significant damage reported to date.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has advised citizens to stay away from beaches for the next six hours and confirmed that “protocols are being activated in neighbouring states.” Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo reported no fatalities thus far, urging the population to remain calm and follow safety recommendations as authorities monitor the situation.
What remains unclear — Authorities have not reported any structural damage or injuries despite the earthquake’s intensity.
Tsunami alert issued following 7.3-magnitude earthquake off Mexico’s coast
A tsunami warning has been issued following a powerful earthquake off the coast of Mexico (Picture: Getty Images)
A tsunami alert has been triggered following a huge earthquake off the coast of Mexico.
The earthquake hit near the city of Puerto Madero, a redeveloped port area and fast-growing neighbourhood, which is also a site of several high-rise buildings and luxury hotels.
Originally recorded at a 7.4 magnitude, the earthquake was later revised and shifted down to 7.3, which is still considered very powerful.
It struck at a depth of 10km (6.21miles), as per the United States Geological Survey (USGS), with tremors felt in Guatemala and El Salvador.
‘Notable quake, preliminary info: M 7.3 – 48 km SW of Aquiles Serdán, Mexico,’ the USGS said.
‘Hazardous tsunami waves’ could now hit coasts within 186miles of the quake’s epicentre.
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‘Hazardous tsunami waves’ could hit coasts within 186miles (Picture: Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images)
The US Tsunami Warning System has said the waves could reach between 0.3m and 1m above tide level.
Waves lower than 0.3m above tide level have been forecast along the coasts of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru.
It is known that earthquakes can trigger secondary natural disasters, such as tsunamis, as well as fires, landslides, and avalanches, with the level of destruction depending on intensity and duration.
Consequently, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged people to stay away from beaches for the next six hours.
She wrote on X: ‘Following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake southwest of Huixtla and those recorded in Ciudad Hidalgo, I spoke with the governors of Chiapas and Tabasco, states that report no damage at this time.
‘Protocols are being activated in neighbouring states. The Secretariat of the Navy recommends not approaching those beaches in the next six hours due to tsunami risk. It is important to follow Civil Protection recommendations.
People were seen evacuating a building in San Salvador (Picture: Reuters)
‘Authorities from all three levels of government are conducting inspections in the territory to assess possible structural impacts and coordinate preventive measures. We will continue with updates.’
The US Tsunami Warning System further advised government agencies responsible for areas under the warning to ‘inform and instruct’ populations in danger.
‘Persons caught in the water of a tsunami may drown… be crushed by debris in the water… or be swept to sea,’ it said.
In the aftermath, Salomón Jara Cruz, the governor of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, added that the earthquake was felt with ‘moderate intensity’, but no immediate serious damage was reported.
‘The seismic event was felt with moderate intensity. Immediately, Civil Protection agencies activated review and monitoring protocols in the various regions to verify possible impacts and safeguard the population,’ he wrote.
‘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.’
The quake was recorded with a 7.3 magnitude (Picture: Kadri Suat Celik/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo echoed that no deaths have been reported so far.
‘So far, there are no fatalities, and we are monitoring the situation minute by minute,’ he penned.
‘I call on the population to remain calm and to follow the recommendations for these cases.’
Several smaller quakes in surrounding areas were recorded with preliminary magnitudes of 5.2, 4.5, and 6.1 by the country’s national seismological service.
A witness told Reuters that some residents ran from their homes onto the streets in Guatemala’s capital, Guatemala City, as buildings started shaking.
Security protocols were also activated in government buildings.
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