Chiapas lacks phone earthquake alerts, civil protection reveals; minor damage reported

Chiapas, Mexico, is still awaiting the installation of a functional earthquake alert system on mobile phones, a deficiency starkly highlighted by a recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake. Mauricio Cordero, Secretary of Civil Protection for Chiapas, admitted the system is not yet in place, despite public queries about why alerts only sound during drills.

Cordero explained that while systems like Sasmex are active in other regions such as Oaxaca, Chiapas has not yet installed the necessary sensors. He stated that the project has been contracted and installation is set to begin next month, with the system expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. This means alerts will only reach cell phones in "real time" after the system is in place.

The recent earthquake, which struck at 8:48 AM on a Friday, caused minor material damage across the Frontera and Soconusco regions. Authorities reported three injuries and non-considerable damage to homes and public buildings. Affected structures included the administrative unit and theater in Tapachula, and two hospitals in Jitotol and Ostuacán. Cracks appeared in a temple and the municipal building in Mazatan, with some homes in Suchiate and Escuintla also sustaining minor damage.

Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar convened an evaluation meeting with state Civil Protection officials following the event. While the state is working to implement the alert system, the recent seismic activity underscores the urgency of this technological upgrade for public safety.