Central America: Magnitude-5.6 offshore earthquake occurs off the coast of southern Guatemala at 20:10 July 29

Event

A magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurred near the coast of southern Guatemala at 20:10 July 29. The epicenter was about 123 km (76 miles) south of Puerto San Jose, Guatemala. The tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 10 km (6 miles). Light to moderate shaking was probably felt throughout southern Guatemala and eastern El Salvador. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake but significant damage is possible. 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. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. 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.