6.5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southern Mexico on January 2, 2026

6.5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southern Mexico on January 2, 2026

Powerful Temblor Hits Southern Mexico

MEXICO — A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the southern Mexican state of Guerrero early Friday morning, January 2, 2026, causing shaking felt across southern and central regions of the country and leaving at least two people dead, officials confirmed. The quake’s epicenter was located near San Marcos, not far from the Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco, according to Mexico’s national seismological agency.

The strong temblor occurred at approximately 7:58 a.m. local time and was widely felt from Guerrero to Mexico City, where seismic alarms sounded and people poured into the streets as buildings swayed. Authorities in Guerrero reported landslides on highways and damage to some infrastructure, and the quake briefly interrupted President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first press briefing of the year.

Casualties and Damage Across Affected Areas

Officials said at least two people were killed in the earthquake. Guerrero Gov. Evelyn Salgado reported that a 50‑year‑old woman died when her home collapsed near the epicenter. In Mexico City, authorities attributed the death of a 67‑year‑old man to a medical emergency and fall while evacuating during the tremor.

In addition to the fatalities, dozens of aftershocks followed the main quake, some registering above magnitude 4.0, prompting continued caution from protection agencies. Buildings, hospitals and roads in both Guerrero and Mexico City experienced varying degrees of structural impact, though widespread catastrophic damage was not immediately reported.

Shaking Felt in Multiple States, Emergency Response

The quake’s effects were felt in numerous states beyond Guerrero and Mexico City, including Morelos, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Michoacán, as civil protection offices reported monitoring for damage and public safety concerns. In Mexico City, officials inspected buildings, transportation systems and infrastructure for signs of damage following the tremor.

In Guerrero, roads impacted by landslides and structural collapses led authorities to dispatch emergency crews to assess conditions and assist residents. The National Seismological Service reported hundreds of aftershocks throughout the day, some significant enough to be felt by local communities, maintaining public alertness.

Government and Community Response

President Sheinbaum’s press briefing was interrupted by the quake’s onset, and she resumed the event after seismic alarms had sounded and safety protocols were enacted. Officials encouraged residents to follow emergency guidance and remain vigilant as aftershocks continued throughout the day.

Local authorities emphasized that while the initial fatalities were confirmed, the overall impact was mitigated compared with larger historical quakes, and emergency teams coordinated with civil protection agencies to provide information, inspect structures and assist those affected.

Community members across affected regions shared their experiences of the quake’s strong shaking, with many reporting items falling from shelves, swaying buildings and the widespread activation of seismic alert systems on mobile devices, which helped provide advance warning to many residents.