7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Mexico and triggers tsunami warning By Carolina Costa
2 min read
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A strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook the Pacific coast of Mexico on Thursday, July 17, 2026, according to data released by the United States Geological Survey.
Details of the tremor and its impact area
The earthquake was recorded at 7:48 am Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), equivalent to 11:48 am Brasília time. The epicenter was located approximately 71 kilometers from the city of Puerto Madero, Mexico, with an estimated depth of around 10 kilometers.
To date, no material damage or casualties have been reported. The tremor was felt intensely in the Chiapas region, located in southern Mexico, and was also felt by residents of Guatemala and El Salvador.
The Mexican Navy issued a tsunami warning, advising residents to stay away from beaches in Chiapas and Tabasco for the next six hours. This information was communicated by president Claudia Sheinbaum through her social platforms. However, the United States Tsunami Warning System did not record active alerts for the area, showing a local preventive response distinct from the regional assessment.
Civil Defense teams are traveling to inspect the regions most affected by the earthquake, with the aim of checking for possible structural damage. President Sheinbaum declared that “authorities from all three levels of government are carrying out visits to the territory.”
Aftershocks felt in nearby nations
Shortly after the event in Mexico, lower intensity earthquakes were recorded in El Salvador and Guatemala. The Salvadoran government reported that the earthquake in its territory was of magnitude 5.1, with a depth of 33 kilometers off the coast of Usulután.
In relation to El Salvador, authorities have ruled out the possibility of a tsunami and, so far, there is no information about deaths.
In Guatemala, the tremors reached a magnitude of 5.6 and mainly impacted Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in the country. Buildings were evacuated and a safety protocol was put in place in at least ten states.
