Mexico earthquake leaves Bay Area residents anxious about family in region

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Mexico's southern Pacific coast Friday morning near the Guatemala border, shaking areas from Mexico City to El Salvador and prompting concern among Bay Area residents with family in the affected region.

Authorities did not immediately report serious damage or casualties in any country.

In San Francisco, residents with ties to Mexico and Guatemala said they were anxious as they checked on loved ones following the quake.

Bernie Parra, who has family in Guadalajara, said he was worried after hearing about the earthquake.

RELATED: A 7.3 earthquake hits Mexico-Guatemala border with no major damage reported

"I just hope they're OK, and given the fact that there was just a big earthquake in Venezuela, I don't know if there's a ripple effect going on," Parra said.

Angelica Gonsalez said she was concerned about relatives in Guatemala but felt reassured after speaking with them.

"They felt it, but they didn't feel it too strong. They are close to a volcano, and there are earthquakes there often, but they're OK," Gonsalez said.

Elsewhere, buildings in parts of Mexico City reportedly creaked and swayed from the Friday earthquake.

In Guatemala City, the earthquake frightened residents during the morning rush hour, prompting many people to leave offices and other buildings.

Tanushree Pant said the earthquake brought back memories of experiencing a major disaster in Nepal.

"It really worries me because I experienced the 2015 Nepal earthquake in Kathmandu. I was right there, and it was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake with a lot of casualties," Pant said.

While there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in Mexico, members of the Bay Area community said they stand ready to help if assistance is needed, as they did after the powerful earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24.

MORE: Venezuelans left alone to recover loved ones as rescue effort winds down; death toll climbs to 3,535

Angelito's Insurance and Arepas Latin Cuisine partnered to collect donations in Oakland for victims of the Venezuela earthquakes. Alicia Molina, owner of Angelito's Insurance, said the effort has gathered about 2,000 boxes of donations and that approximately 1,200 boxes are scheduled to be shipped Saturday.

"It's been amazing. It wasn't planned to be this big, but the community has made it possible. Arepas and I just had an idea of shipping 20 boxes, and it ended up being this. So it's been amazing and people are showing up," Molina said.

The group is seeking volunteers to help load a truck with boxes starting Saturday at 9 a.m. at 4819 International Boulevard in Oakland.