Guatemala: Magnitude-6.4 earthquake occurs in southern Quiche Department at around May 17

Event

A magnitude-6.4 earthquake occurred in southern Quiche Department in southern Guatemala at around 17:02 CST May 17. The epicenter was about 4 km (2.5 miles) south of Canilla. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 256 km (159 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout most of Guatemala, western El Salvador, and eastern Chiapas State in Mexico. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, and damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.