According to the reports on Thursday (10 July), a powerful sequence of over 150 earthquakes and aftershocks struck Guatemala starting Tuesday afternoon (8 July, local time), with magnitudes ranging from 3.0 to 5.7. The tremors caused widespread fear and damage, forcing many families to evacuate their homes and sleep outside overnight due to continued aftershocks and the threat of structural collapse.
Authorities confirmed four deaths as a result of the seismic activity. Among the victims were a woman and her dog found buried in debris south of the capital, and a 13-year-old boy whose body was recovered in Sacatepéquez. Additionally, two men were killed by falling rocks while traveling by truck in the Escuintla region.
President Bernardo Arévalo expressed condolences to the victims’ families and visited a town near the earthquake’s epicenter. He shared updates on social media and confirmed that the main quake’s epicenter was located in Sacatepéquez, with significant aftershocks felt in the Escuintla and Guatemala departments. The tremors were so powerful they were also felt in neighboring El Salvador.
The earthquakes led to crumbled walls, blocked roads from landslides, and the evacuation of buildings across affected regions. Residents like Elvia Morataya described the structural damage to their homes and the fear of returning indoors. Emergency services and volunteer firefighters have been active in search and recovery efforts, while officials continue to assess the damage and support displaced families.
References
Guatemala Quakes Leave Four Dead as Families Sleep Outdoors Fearing More Aftershocks
