2 hours ago
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A huge earthquake has rocked Guatemala City, with fears that a tsunami could also hit as people evacuate buildings and run for their lives. The 7.4 magnitude quake was recorded near the coast of Chiapas, Mexico, the United States Geological Survey said.
It struck Puerto Madero, a port and fishing town roughly eight miles from the Guatemalan border, and measured a depth of 6.21 miles. There is now a tsunami threat to parts of the Pacific near where the earthquake struck.
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2 hours ago18:50 Rebecca Robinson
Tsunami warning cancelled
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has lifted the tsunami warning.
2 hours ago18:23 Rebecca Robinson
Images from the scene
Images capturing the aftermath of the earthquake in Guatemala and Mexico show people evacuating and being assisted by officials.
Evacuations in Guatemala. (Image: Getty)
Evacuations in Mexico. (Image: Getty)
2 hours ago18:17 Rebecca Robinson
National library evacuated
El Salvador's national library in the capital, San Salvador, has been evacuated.
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3 hours ago17:55 Rebecca Robinson
'Some casualties possible'
The US Geological Survey has issued a yellow alert for "shaking-related fatalities", meaning "some casualties are possible".
3 hours ago17:50 Rebecca Robinson
'The shaking wouldn't stop'
Alexander Valdez, a 29-year-old accountant in Guatemala City told Reuters: "I got really scared and it reminded me of the recent earthquake in Venezuela. So I ran out and went down the stairs because I live on the eighth floor. The shaking wouldn't stop."
3 hours ago17:46 Rebecca Robinson
'The shaking just got stronger'
Alejandra Mendoza, a hospital worker in Tapachula, told the Associated Press: "We were upstairs on the second floor when it started shaking. We thought it would pass, but then it got stronger, so we all went downstairs and evacuated in an orderly manner to the front courtyard."
3 hours ago17:25 Rebecca Robinson
Preventative evacuations carried out
Parts of Guatemala have been undertaking preventative evacuations with the help of the country's disaster response agency, CONRED.
CONRED said: "The population is reminded to remain calm, follow the instructions of the authorities, and stay informed exclusively through official channels."
#SismoGT Tras el sismo registrado de magnitud 5.6, instituciones que integran el Sistema CONRED activaron sus planes y realizaron evacuaciones preventivas para resguardar la seguridad de colaboradores y visitantes. pic.twitter.com/TVqeelMOxr
— CONRED (@ConredGuatemala) July 17, 20263 hours ago17:20 Rebecca Robinson
Mexicans urged to avoid beaches
The Mexican Navy has recommended not going to the beach for the next six hours due to the tsunami risk.
Raymundo Morales, the head of the Navy, said: "There is no problem, no serious maritime impact. We only expect some beaches to see a rise in water level of up to half a meter due to the tsunami effect from the earthquake."
3 hours ago17:16 Rebecca Robinson
No reports of damage in Mexico
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country's Chiapas and Tabasco states have not suffered any damage.
She wrote on X: "Authorities from all three levels of government are conducting inspections in the territory to assess possible structural impacts and coordinate preventive measures. We will continue with updates."
3 hours ago17:11 Rebecca Robinson
No deaths reported so far
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo said there have been no deaths reported so far.
He wrote on X: "The @ConredGuatemala system is active and deploying plans in response to the 5.6 magnitude earthquake recorded with its epicenter in Quetzaltenango.
"So far, there are no fatalities, and we are monitoring the situation minute by minute. I call on the population to remain calm and to follow the recommendations for these cases."
3 hours ago17:05 Rebecca Robinson
Danger to life warning issued
The US Tsunami Warning System said: "Persons caught in the water of a tsunami may drown... be crushed by debris in the water... or be swept to sea."
4 hours ago17:00 Rebecca Robinson
Tsunami advice issued
The US Tsunami Warning System said: "Government agencies responsible for threatened coastal areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk in accordance with their own evaluation... procedures and the level of threat.
"Persons located in threatened areas should stay alert for information and follow instructions from national and local authorities."
4 hours ago16:54 Rebecca Robinson
1m tsunami waves possible
Tsunami waves between 0.3m and 1m are possible for some coastal areas of Guatemala and Mexico, the US Tsunami Warning System said.
Waves are forecast to be less than 0.3m along Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru.
4 hours ago16:49 Rebecca Robinson
Residents evacuate in Guatemala City
The earthquake shook buildings and prompted some residents to evacuate in Guatemala City, Guatemala's capital, a witness told Reuters.
Staff were seen evacuating a government building in videos captured by local media.
4 hours ago16:44 Rebecca Robinson
'Extensive' liquefaction impacts
The US Geological Survey warned that liquefaction could affect an extensive area and population.
Liquefaction is a process where a solid material, such as water-saturated soil or granular material, temporarily loses its strength and stiffness and behaves like a liquid.
This most commonly occurs during seismic events such as earthquakes, when ground shaking increases soil water pressure and forces sand grains apart.
4 hours ago16:39 Rebecca Robinson
Locals 'vulnerable' to earthqauek
The US Geological Survey said: "Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block with concrete bond beam and mud wall construction."
4 hours ago16:35 Rebecca Robinson
Evacuations underway
A video shared on social media appears to show a large number of people evacuated from an office block following the earthquake.
4 hours ago16:30 Rebecca Robinson
What does 7.3 magnitude mean?
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake is a major earthquake that releases a massive amount of energy, roughly equivalent to about 15 times the explosive yield of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
It can cause severe, widespread damage in populated areas and often triggers tsunami alerts when centred near the ocean.
4 hours ago16:27 Rebecca Robinson
Tsunami warning in place
A tsunami warning is now in place for parts of the Pacific near where the earthquake began, the US Geological Survey said. "Hazardous tsunami waves" are possible for coastal areas within 186 miles of the quake's epicentre, it added.
4 hours ago16:23 Rebecca Robinson
Where did the earthquake hit?
The 7.4 magnitude quake was recorded near the coast of Chiapas, Mexico, the United States Geological Survey said.
It struck Puerto Madero, a port and fishing town roughly eight miles from the Guatemalan border, and measured a depth of 6.21 miles.
4 hours ago16:20 Rebecca Robinson
Earthquake magnitude downgraded
The earthquake's magnitude has been downgraded from 7.4 to 7.3 by the US Geological Survey.
4 hours ago16:17 Rebecca Robinson
Welcome to our coverage
Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the earthquake. Follow along for all the latest updates.
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