Devastating 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Mexico, Claiming Two Lives

Sat Jan 03 2026 20:41:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A powerful earthquake near Acapulco, Mexico, has resulted in multiple casualties and significant damage. The tremor was felt widely across southern and central regions, prompting emergency responses and ongoing assessments.

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck southern and central Mexico on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals and injuring dozens more. The epicenter was located near Acapulco, initiating swift emergency responses, including power restorations and structural evaluations in affected areas. The seismic event has left residents shaken as the nation assesses the damage from the quake and its aftershocks.

At least two people have died after a powerful earthquake hit southern and central Mexico on Friday.

The epicentre of the 6.5 magnitude earthquake was near the popular tourist town of Acapulco, near San Marcos in the south-western state of Guerrero, which suffered moderate damage.

A 50-year-old woman died in Guerrero, the state's governor Evelyn Salgado said, while Clara Brugada, Mexico City's mayor, confirmed the death of a 60-year-old man and reported that 12 others were injured in the capital.

Mexico is situated in one of the world's most seismically active areas, standing at the convergence of four tectonic plates.

Late on Friday night, Brugada announced that power has been restored to 98% of the failures reported in Mexico City, although two structures were under evaluation for collapse risk and numerous buildings were being inspected as a preventative measure.

Damage assessments are ongoing in Mexico City, with officials noting that roads and hospitals were affected. Reports also mentioned various landslides on highways around Guerrero state.

Mexico's seismological service registered 420 aftershocks by midday local time.

President Claudia Sheinbaum was giving her first press conference of the year when the earthquake struck. Footage from the event captured the moment, with Sheinbaum advising reporters to all get out calmly while the seismic alert system sounded in the background.

A significant number of residents and tourists fled into the streets in both Mexico City and Acapulco following the quake, which echoed memories of previous devastating earthquakes in the region.

The seismic alert system was established after the catastrophic 1985 earthquake that led to over 10,000 fatalities.

The nation remains on alert as authorities continue to evaluate the impacts of this significant seismic event.