A series of Earthquakes strikes Guatemala, causing a Fatal Rockslide
A deadly sequence of Guatemala earthquakes on Tuesday led to the deaths of two men when massive rocks fell onto their vehicle in the department of Escuintla. According to local firefighters, the men were traveling on a rural road when the hillside gave way, crushing their pickup truck.
The tragic incident followed an intense burst of seismic activity, with over 37 earthquakes and aftershocks recorded within a matter of hours. Magnitudes ranged from 3.0 to 5.6, according to Edwin Rodas, director of Guatemala’s National Institute for Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology.
Earthquakes Felt Across Borders and Spark Emergency Measures
The tremors were felt as far away as El Salvador, prompting the evacuation of buildings and causing minor structural damage. Landslides were reported in multiple locations, burying at least five people—two of whom were rescued.
President Bernardo Arévalo addressed the situation in a press conference, confirming the epicenter was located in Sacatepéquez, with aftershocks spreading into the Escuintla and Guatemala departments.
In response, the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) declared an orange alert—the second-highest on the national emergency scale—activating response teams across affected areas.
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US Geological Survey Records Major Quakes in Southern Guatemala
The US Geological Survey (USGS) provided real-time data on the seismic events, reporting:
- A 4.8 magnitude earthquake at 3:11 p.m. local time, located 4 km (2.5 miles) southwest of Amatitlán, near Guatemala City, at a depth of 10 km (6 miles).
- A 5.7 magnitude quake near San Vicente Pacaya, a municipality in Escuintla.
- Another 4.8 magnitude quake 6 km (4 miles) northwest of Palín, also within the Escuintla region.
These locations are part of a high-risk seismic zone in southern Guatemala, which is frequently impacted by tectonic shifts related to the Cocos and Caribbean plates.
What This Means for Guatemala’s Disaster Preparedness
The back-to-back tremors and resulting fatalities underscore the urgent need for improved early warning systems, landslide risk mapping, and regional cooperation on disaster preparedness.
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With the Guatemala earthquakes becoming more frequent and destructive, officials are being urged to invest in modern monitoring infrastructure, community education, and emergency protocols to protect vulnerable populations, particularly in mountainous and rural regions like Escuintla.
President Arévalo’s administration has vowed to coordinate closely with CONRED and international partners to assess damage and prevent further casualties.
