A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Chiapas on Friday, July 17, the strongest in the region since 2017. The event produced 60 aftershocks and triggered a tsunami alert that was later lifted.
The earthquake occurred at 08:48:41 hours with its epicenter 95 kilometers from Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas, at a depth of 10 kilometers. It was felt strongly in Oaxaca, Tabasco, Guatemala and El Salvador, and lightly in Mexico City.
President Claudia Sheinbaum activated a preventive tsunami alert and urged people to stay away from the coasts. The Navy’s Tsunami Alert Center lifted the alert after confirming no significant changes in sea level were expected.
Chiapas Civil Protection reported minor damage including fallen ceilings and a gas leak that was addressed. One person jumped from a third floor in Tapachula and another was injured by a door; one death was reported. Governor Eduardo Ramírez suspended administrative activities due to the aftershocks.
