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A strong earthquake rattled southern and central Mexico, interrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum's first press briefing of the new year as seismic alarms sounded.
A significant earthquake, registering a preliminary magnitude of 6.5, struck the southern and central regions of Mexico on Friday. This powerful tremor disrupted President Claudia Sheinbaum's initial press conference of the new year, as seismic alarms blared across the affected areas. The earthquake's epicenter was identified near San Marcos, a town situated in the southern state of Guerrero, close to the popular Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco. Mexico's national seismological agency reported that this main quake was followed by an extensive series of over 500 aftershocks, contributing to ongoing instability and concern among residents. The event tragically resulted in at least two confirmed fatalities, prompting immediate emergency responses and assessments of the damage incurred across the region.
The strong earthquake caused immediate and visible damage across the affected Mexican states. Guerrero's civil defense agency confirmed multiple landslides, which impacted areas around Acapulco and various highways throughout the state, impeding travel and rescue efforts. Tragically, Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado announced the death of a 50-year-old woman whose home, located in a small community close to the epicenter, completely collapsed during the seismic activity. Further reports indicated that a hospital in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero, sustained significant structural damage, necessitating the urgent evacuation of numerous patients to ensure their safety. In major urban centers like Mexico City and Acapulco, the initial tremors prompted widespread panic, leading residents and tourists alike to quickly evacuate buildings and seek refuge in the open streets. Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada also reported an additional fatality, a person who experienced a medical emergency and subsequently fell while attempting to evacuate a building during the chaos.
Detailed geological information provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) clarified that the earthquake originated at a depth of 21.7 miles (approximately 35 kilometers). Its precise location was pinpointed 2.5 miles north-northwest of Rancho Viejo, a community nestled in the mountainous region of Guerrero, situated about 57 miles northeast of Acapulco. This depth and location indicate a significant tectonic event in the area. Following the immediate disruption caused by the seismic alarms and shaking, President Claudia Sheinbaum swiftly resumed her scheduled press briefing, demonstrating a quick return to official duties and likely an effort to reassure the public and coordinate the government's response to the natural disaster. This quick resumption highlighted the gravity of the situation while also projecting a sense of control and ongoing leadership amidst the emergency.
José Raymundo Díaz Taboada, a local doctor and human rights advocate residing on the hills surrounding Acapulco, provided a vivid eyewitness account of the earthquake. He recalled initially hearing a profound rumbling sound, which was promptly followed by a cacophony of barking from neighborhood dogs, a common early warning sign during seismic events. His personal cellular device then activated the seismic alert, confirming the impending danger just as the strong, noisy shaking commenced. Taboada noted that while the shaking was intense, it felt less severe compared to some previous earthquakes he had experienced. As a precautionary measure and reflecting local preparedness, he had already assembled a 'go-bag' or backpack containing essential items, ready for immediate evacuation should the numerous aftershocks necessitate it. A significant concern he highlighted was the disruption to communication networks, as he reported being unable to contact friends located in the Costa Chica region southeast of Acapulco, indicating that critical communication lines were compromised following the earthquake, hindering immediate welfare checks and coordination efforts.