Powerful 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Mexico
Powerful 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Mexico
On January 2, 2026, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake jolted near San Marcos in Guerrero state, rattling southern and central Mexico at 07:58 local time. The quake, at a shallow 35-kilometer depth, triggered seismic alarms across regions, interrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum's first press briefing of the year as crowds evacuated in panic.[1][3]
Devastating Impact and Casualties
Tragically, two fatalities were reported: a 56-year-old woman in Guerrero when her home collapsed, and a 67-year-old man in Mexico City's Benito Juárez borough during evacuation. Seventeen injuries occurred, with 700 homes damaged in Guerrero, including 70 collapses in San Marcos alone. Acapulco saw hotel and airport damage, landslides, and power outages, while Mexico City faced fallen poles, trees, and a substation fire.[1][2]
Widespread Shaking and Response
Strong tremors reached Oaxaca, Veracruz, Puebla, and beyond, lightly felt in Jalisco and Michoacán. Hundreds fled swaying buildings; authorities inspected sites, urging calm amid aftershocks. This event underscores Mexico's seismic vulnerability, prompting swift civil defense assessments.[1][3]
