Mexico Border Earthquake -A powerful earthquake rattled the border region between Mexico and Guatemala on Sunday morning, sending residents scrambling for safety. The temblor struck around 6:00 am local time near the Mexican town of Suchiate, located on the Suchiate River dividing the two countries. The epicenter was situated offshore in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 16 kilometers southwest of Brisas Barra de Suchiate.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake registered a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 and occurred at a depth of approximately 75 kilometers. While initial reports from Mexico indicated no significant damage, authorities remained cautious as landslides are a concern in mountainous areas along the border.
Guatemala’s disaster management agency reported instances of minor landslides affecting highways in the Quetzaltenango region and cracks appearing in hospital walls within San Marcos. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in either country.
Civil defense teams in Tapachula, Mexico, close to the epicenter, patrolled the city searching for signs of damage. Didier Solares, a Suchiate Civil Defense official, expressed relief at the lack of immediate destruction. “Thankfully, everything seems to be alright,” Solares stated. “We’ve been checking with businesses and rural areas via radio communication, and there are no reports of damage, God be thanked.”
Despite the absence of major damage, the early morning quake caused fear among residents. In the historic mountain town of San Cristobal, the tremors were significant. “We woke up due to the seismic alert system,” said Joaquin Morales, a resident. “The alert went off about 30 seconds before the quake itself, which woke me up.”
María Guzmán, a teacher residing in Tuxtla Chico near Tapachula, described the experience as horrifying. “It was awful,” she recounted. “It felt very strong and was a real scare.”