7.3 magnitude earthquake strikes southern Mexico, tsunami alert issued

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico near the Guatemalan border on Friday, July 17, at 09:48 local time 14:48 GMT, triggering a tsunami alert for parts of the Pacific coast. The United States Geological Survey reported the quake occurred off the coast of Chiapas, at a depth of approximately 15 kilometers and about 50 kilometers from Tapachula. A 5.3 magnitude aftershock was also recorded in the same area. Initial assessments indicate no major damage or casualties, though authorities remain on alert. The tremor was strongly felt in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, as well as in Guatemala and El Salvador, prompting residents to evacuate buildings. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's tsunami warning system issued an alert for parts of the Pacific coast of Mexico and Guatemala, warning of potentially dangerous waves near the epicenter and smaller sea-level variations elsewhere in the region. However, US authorities clarified there is no tsunami threat to the west coast of the United States, including California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, or western Canada. Mexican authorities are continuing their evaluations and urge coastal populations to follow safety instructions until the alert is lifted.