Un tremblement de terre de magnitude 7,4 frappe la côte du Chiapas au Mexique, une menace de tsunami est émise

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico on Friday, triggering a tsunami warning and causing widespread tremors across Central America. The quake, which occurred near the Mexican town of Puerto Madero, was initially recorded at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers by the U.S. Geological Survey. Subsequent assessments placed the epicenter closer to Aquiles Serdan, with a revised depth of approximately 15 kilometers. The tremors were felt in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, prompting residents to flee buildings and seek safety. The initial shock was followed by a series of aftershocks, including quakes measuring around 5.2, 5.8, and 6.1 on the Richter scale. These secondary shocks added to the sense of urgency in the region, with reports indicating that the main tremor lasted longer than usual, leading to heightened fear among locals. In Tapachula, southern Mexico, the shaking intensified gradually, with people at a public hospital evacuating in an orderly manner as the tremors grew stronger. Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative worker at the hospital, described the experience: “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.” In Guatemala City, the earthquake caused panic during the morning rush hour, with many residents leaving their workplaces and gathering outside buildings. The prolonged nature of the tremor contributed to the fear, as people were unsure whether the shaking would continue. Similar scenes unfolded in El Salvador, where videos shared online showed buildings swaying, objects falling from shelves, and residents rushing to evacuate. Despite the intensity of the shaking, there have been no immediate reports of deaths or major structural damage. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that there were no immediate reports of damage in Chiapas and Tabasco as authorities began evaluating the situation. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo echoed this sentiment, noting that there were no immediate fatalities. Both leaders urged citizens to remain calm and follow official guidelines. Authorities in coastal regions, particularly in Suchiate, a border town between Mexico and Guatemala, remained vigilant, monitoring the potential impact of the tsunami threat. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System had issued a threat alert for the area, warning of possible sea-level changes up to one meter above normal tide levels along coasts within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. While the earthquake was strong enough to cause concern, it did not trigger an alert in Mexico City. Government officials explained that the energy released during the first few seconds of the quake did not meet the threshold required to activate the city’s early warning system. Nonetheless, the event underscored the region’s susceptibility to seismic activity, raising questions about the preparedness of densely populated urban centers. As authorities continue to assess the situation, they are closely monitoring for further aftershocks and any signs of additional damage.