Mexico city: A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Mexico's southeastern Pacific coast on Friday, as reported by the US Geological Survey. The earthquake's epicenter was located off the port of Puerto Madero in the state of Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala, hitting about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) north of the town at 8.48 am local time (1448GMT).
According to Anadolu Agency, Mexican authorities deployed security and civil protection personnel to the affected area, reporting no casualties or major damage so far. A magnitude 5.2 aftershock followed the initial quake, as confirmed by the National Seismological Center.
A tsunami alert was initially issued after the earthquake but was lifted about an hour later by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency had warned that hazardous tsunami waves were possible along coastlines within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the epicenter before declaring the threat had passed.
The earthquake occurred during President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning news conference, where officials provided an immediate update on the situation in southeastern Mexico. Navy Secretary Adm. Raymundo Pedro Morales Angeles confirmed that there had been no damage following the earthquakes and urged the public to remain calm, advising people to stay away from the beaches due to a minor rise in sea level.
On social media, Mexico's National Civil Protection Coordination reported on conditions in neighboring states, identifying the epicenter near Hidalgo, Chiapas, as the most affected area. However, no damage or injuries had been reported, and authorities carried out preventive evacuations. The rest of the southeastern region was reported to be unaffected, with security personnel continuing patrols to assist the population.