Mexico City— Strong earthquake tremors were felt across Mexico City on Friday after a 6.5-magnitude quake struck southern Mexico, triggering panic among residents and briefly disrupting official activities. According to Mexico’s National Seismological Service, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 40 kilometres, with its epicentre located near San Marcos town in Guerrero state, close to the Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco.
The tremors were so intense that buildings shook across the capital, forcing people to rush out into the streets. At the time of the quake, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was addressing a New Year press conference, which had to be abruptly suspended. A video circulating on social media shows the president calmly leaving the conference hall along with journalists and officials as the shaking began.
Authorities confirmed casualties and damage in the affected regions. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said a 50-year-old woman died after her house collapsed in a village near the epicentre. In the state capital Chilpancingo, a hospital sustained significant structural damage, forcing staff to evacuate patients as a precaution.
In Mexico City, Mayor Clara Brugada reported that one person died after falling while attempting to evacuate a building during the quake. Panic was reported in several neighbourhoods, with residents and tourists in Mexico City and Acapulco leaving homes and hotels to gather in open areas. Emergency alerts were sent to mobile phones moments before the shaking intensified, though communication services were briefly disrupted in some areas.
Emergency teams were deployed to assess damage and ensure public safety, while authorities urged residents to remain cautious as aftershocks could not be ruled out.
