Magnitude 5.6 Earthquake Shakes Guatemala City, Felt in El Salvador and Nicaragua

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck off Guatemala’s Pacific coast on Tuesday, shaking buildings in the capital, Guatemala City, and felt in neighbouring El Salvador and Nicaragua. There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.

The Guatemala earthquake struck at 14:54 UTC (08:54 local time), with its epicentre about 43 kilometres south of the coastal town of Puerto San José, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It was recorded at a depth of 35 kilometres. Guatemala’s Seismological Service gave a preliminary reading of magnitude 5.8.

FAKTA

• Magnitude: 5.6 (USGS); Guatemala’s Seismological Service gave a preliminary reading of 5.8
• Time: Tuesday 10 November 2026, 14:54 UTC (08:54 local time)
• Epicentre: 43 kilometres south of Puerto San José, off Guatemala’s Pacific coast
• Depth: 35 kilometres (USGS); 10 kilometres (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)
• Felt in: Guatemala City, El Salvador and Nicaragua
• Damage and casualties: No immediate reports of major damage or casualties
• Tsunami: No warning issued; El Salvador said there was no tsunami threat
• Aftershock: Magnitude 4.8 at 15:23 UTC, 34 kilometres south of Puerto San José

Guatemala earthquake shakes buildings in the capital

Reuters witnesses said buildings shook in Guatemala City, about 128 kilometres north-east of the epicentre. The tremor was also felt across the border in El Salvador and in Nicaragua.

No tsunami threat

Authorities in El Salvador said there was no tsunami threat from the earthquake, and no tsunami warning, watch or advisory was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center or the USGS.

Aftershock follows main tremor

A magnitude 4.8 aftershock struck at 15:23 UTC, 34 kilometres south of Puerto San José, at a depth of 58.5 kilometres, according to the USGS. A tremor of that size is classed as light, with damage unlikely.

Local authorities had issued no initial reports of major damage or casualties. More world news from Watan News International is available on our World news page.