A strong earthquake struck the Gulf of California off the coast of Sinaloa state in northwestern Mexico on Tuesday, shaking buildings and prompting precautionary evacuations, but causing no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. The tremor, which occurred at 12:45 p.m. local time (19:45 UTC), was felt across several states, including Sinaloa, Durango, and Baja California Sur.

Mexico’s National Seismological Service (SSN) located the epicentre 116 kilometres southwest of the coastal city of Guasave at a shallow depth of five kilometres. The US Geological Survey (USGS) registered the event at magnitude 6.0, while the SSN and other regional monitors reported magnitudes between 6.1 and 6.2. Civil protection authorities in Sinaloa said the quake was perceived strongly in Guasave, where some public buildings were evacuated as a precaution, and moderately in the state capital, Culiacán. No structural damage or injuries were reported, and the Navy’s Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed there was no risk of a tsunami.

Initial reports briefly caused confusion after the SSN issued a preliminary alert for a separate magnitude-5.3 tremor near El Salto, Durango, which was later corrected to the offshore event. A series of aftershocks followed, the largest of which measured 5.5, according to the SSN, which said it had recorded at least ten smaller replicas within hours. The USGS noted a magnitude-4.9 aftershock and issued a green alert indicating a low expected impact on population and infrastructure.

Mexico lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the interaction of the Cocos, Rivera, and North American plates generates frequent seismic activity. Seismologists said the event was unrelated to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela last week. Local authorities maintained monitoring protocols and urged residents to follow only official information channels. As of early evening, no damage or casualties had been confirmed, and the situation remained under assessment.