6.5-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Mexico, Causing Fatalities and Damage

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico on January 2, 2026, at approximately 7:58 a.m. local time. The epicenter was near San Marcos in Guerrero state, close to the Pacific coastal resort of Acapulco.

The quake resulted in at least two fatalities. A 50-year-old woman died when her home collapsed near the epicenter, according to Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado. In Mexico City, a 67-year-old man died while evacuating his apartment building.

Structural damage was reported in Guerrero state, including landslides on highways and damage to a hospital in Chilpancingo, leading to patient evacuations. The Mexican national seismological agency recorded over 500 aftershocks following the quake.

In Mexico City, seismic alarms prompted residents and tourists to evacuate buildings. President Claudia Sheinbaum's press briefing was interrupted by the quake but resumed shortly afterward.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake at a depth of 21.7 miles, near Rancho Viejo in Guerrero.