Mexico City (TDI): A powerful earthquake rattled southern and central Mexico on Friday, sending shockwaves from the Pacific coast deep into the capital and beyond; triggering widespread evacuations, disrupting official events and leaving at least two people dead.
The quake, of 6.5 magnitude, struck near the town of San Marcos in the southern state of Guerrero, close to the popular beach resort of Acapulco, at about 07:58 local time. Its depth was estimated at roughly 35kilometers.
Residents in Mexico City, located nearly 300 km from the epicenter, were jolted awake as buildings swayed and the city’s seismic alarms blared.
In the capital, office workers, students and residents rushed into the streets as tremors intensified, recalling the traumatic memories of past earthquakes that have hit the densely populated metropolis.
The quake also interrupted President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first press briefing of the year at the National Palace, with emergency sirens forcing her and journalists to evacuate the venue before she later resumed the event.
Read More: Mexico Struggles to Recover from the Devastation of Floods and Landslides
The human toll, while limited compared with Mexico’s most devastating earthquakes, is still sobering. Authorities reported that one woman near the epicenter died when her home collapsed, and another person in Mexico City died after suffering a medical emergency and a fall during evacuation.
Dozens of people were reportedly injured and hundreds of aftershocks were recorded in the hours following the main quake, adding tension for residents and emergency crews alike.
Infrastructure damage was also reported in several areas. In Guerrero, landslides affected roads around Acapulco and damaged a hospital in Chilpancingo, prompting patient evacuations.
Mexico lies atop a complex junction of tectonic plates, making it one of the world’s most seismically active regions. Earthquakes of this magnitude, while not uncommon, pose a serious risk in urban centers built on soft soils or near fault lines.
As aftershock activity continues, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols while emergency responders, engineers, and local officials are conducting damage assessments.
