A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck about 9 km (6 mi) west of El Coyul, Oaxaca state, at approximately 1030 local time (1530 UTC) on 23 June 2020, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at a depth of 33 km. Shaking was felt as far away as Mexico City — located approximately 810 km northwest of El Coyul — and in parts of western Guatemala. The event prompted officials to issue a tsunami warning with a radius of 1,000 km for coastal areas of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. Tsunami waves measuring 0.4 m (1 ft) were observed along the coast in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca state, where a small-scale fire broke out at an oil refinery. According to Mexico’s National Coordination for Civil Protection government agency (CNPC), at least 653 aftershocks followed the initial tremor, the most powerful of which had a 4.9 magnitude.

The earthquake temporarily caused power outages to 2.6 million homes and businesses in Mexico City and in the states of Guerrero, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Morelos, Puebla and Veracruz. As of the latest reports, power has been restored in 98% of the affected areas. At least six people were killed, and more than 20 others were injured in Oaxaca, where at least 500 homes, 15 heath centers and four archaeological sites sustained structural damage. Five highways in the area also sustained damage. In Mexico City, quake-related shaking caused panic, forcing residents to flee their homes. Two people were injured in the Iztapalpa borough. Mexico City International Airport (MMMX/MEX) was largely unaffected, although flights were temporarily delayed immediately after the earthquake while officials inspected the runways and buildings at the facility for any potential damage.