Guatemala City, Guatemala – A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck just northwest of San Vicente Pacaya late Tuesday night, rattling homes across central Guatemala and triggering a series of aftershocks near Palín and Amatitlán.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the strongest quake hit at 9:41 p.m. local time (03:41 UTC Wednesday) at a depth of 10 kilometers. It followed a magnitude 4.8 tremor near Amatitlán at 9:11 p.m. and another 4.8 quake northwest of Palín just 13 minutes later. A magnitude 3.9 aftershock was recorded northeast of Palín around 12:06 a.m. Wednesday.
The epicenters were located in Escuintla and southern Guatemala departments. Community internet intensity maps registered moderate to strong shaking (VI on the MMI scale) in populated areas, with reports submitted from San Vicente Pacaya, Villa Nueva, and Mixco.
So far, no major injuries or damage have been confirmed, though officials are urging residents to inspect homes for structural cracks, avoid steep terrain prone to landslides, and stay alert for possible aftershocks. Emergency management agencies remain on standby as seismic activity continues.
Further tremors remain possible in the coming days as the region stabilizes.
