Strong 7.4-magnitude quake off southern Mexico prompts tsunami warning

MEXICO CITY: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico’s southern Chiapas state on Friday, setting off a tsunami warning and sending tremors into Guatemala and El Salvador.

The US Geological Survey said the quake hit near Puerto Madero at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. After the tremor, the US Tsunami Warning System said hazardous tsunami waves were possible along coastlines within 300 kilometres of the epicentre.

No immediate damage was reported by authorities. In Oaxaca, Governor Salomon Jara said on social media that the quake was felt with moderate intensity in the state capital and that no serious damage had been immediately reported there.

In Guatemala City, the shaking rattled buildings and caused some residents to leave their homes and gather in the streets, according to a Reuters witness. Local media showed staff evacuating a government building under security procedures. The earthquake was also felt in El Salvador, another Reuters witness said.