Deadly 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Mexico, Claims Two Lives

Sat Jan 03 2026 20:21:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A powerful earthquake near Acapulco has left two dead and numerous injuries across southern and central Mexico, prompting immediate response from local authorities.

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck near Acapulco, Mexico, resulting in two fatalities and injuries to many others. The woman who died was in Guerrero, while a man in Mexico City also lost his life. Significant damage occurred in the region, triggering landslides and aftershocks, with assessments currently underway for affected buildings and infrastructure.

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

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 12 others injured in the capital.

Mexico is situated in one of the world's most seismically active regions, sitting at the intersection of four tectonic plates.

Late on Friday night, Brugada announced that power had been restored to 98% of the outages reported in Mexico City. Two structures were being evaluated for collapse risk, with 34 buildings and five homes under inspection as a precaution.

Damage assessments are underway in Mexico City after roads and hospitals were affected, and several landslides were reported on highways in Guerrero state.

Mexico's seismological service registered 420 aftershocks by midday local time (18:00 GMT).

President Claudia Sheinbaum was holding her first press conference of the year when the earthquake struck. Video captured the moment she said, it's shaking as an earthquake alert system sounded in the background, urging reporters to exit calmly.

Additional footage showed buildings trembling in Mexico City and vehicles shaking in Acapulco.

After hearing the Mexican Seismic Alert System early on Friday, residents and tourists flooded into the streets of both cities. This alert system was established following the deadly earthquake of 1985 that resulted in over 10,000 fatalities.

In 2017, a magnitude 7.1 quake killed over 200 individuals and collapsed numerous buildings in Mexico City.