Powerful earthquake shakes Mexico, Guatemala

A strong magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the southern Mexican Pacific coast on Friday, with its epicenter near the border with Guatemala. The powerful tremor sent vibrations felt as far away as Mexico City and El Salvador, causing alarm across the region.

Initial reports from authorities indicated that the earthquake, which had a depth of 15 kilometers (9 miles), did not result in significant damage or casualties. However, two individuals sustained injuries in southern Mexico. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located the epicenter 48 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Aquiles Serdan, off the coast of Chiapas.

The main shock was followed by at least 10 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 4.9 to 6. In Tapachula, a major city on Mexico's southern border, residents described the shaking intensifying after a mild start. One resident recounted evacuating their building in an orderly fashion to a courtyard as the tremors grew stronger.

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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.