Powerful 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Guerrero, Mexico - Impacts and Aftershocks
Powerful 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Guerrero, Mexico
On January 2, 2026, at 07:58 local time, a preliminary magnitude 6.5 earthquake rocked southern and central Mexico, centered near San Marcos in Guerrero state at a depth of 35 kilometers. Seismic alarms blared across regions, interrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum's first press briefing of the year, forcing evacuations in Mexico City and beyond. Tremors rippled through Oaxaca, Veracruz, Puebla, and as far as Acapulco, where buildings swayed and residents fled into streets.[1][2]
Devastating Impacts and Casualties
The quake claimed two lives: a 56-year-old woman in a collapsed Guerrero home and a 67-year-old man in Mexico City's Benito Juárez during evacuation. Seventeen injuries were reported, with 700 homes affected in Guerrero—70 fully collapsed, including 50 in San Marcos alone. Acapulco's hotels and airport sustained damage, while landslides, power outages, and a substation fire hit the capital. Hundreds evacuated amid inspections of unstable structures.[1][2]
Seismic Context and Ongoing Alerts
Following a cluster of strong quakes on December 31 and January 1, this event underscores Mexico's high seismic risk near the Pacific coast. Civil defense teams assessed widespread damage, reminding residents of nature's unpredictability in this volatile zone. Authorities urge preparedness as aftershocks loom.[1][3]
