6.5‑Magnitude Earthquake Near Acapulco Halts President Sheinbaum’s Press Briefing

Strong Earthquake Shakes Southern Mexico; Officials Say no Serious Damage Reported Yet

Breaking developments

A strong earthquake, preliminarily measured at magnitude 6.5, rattled southern and central Mexico on Friday, interrupting teh first news briefing of the year as seismic alarms sounded across major cities.

The tremor’s epicenter was reported near the town of San Marcos in Guerrero, close to the Pacific coast resort of Acapulco, according to the nation’s seismological authorities.

Authorities in Guerrero cited landslides in and around Acapulco and along other highways in the state, underscoring the potential for disrupted travel even as the immediate threat to life appeared limited.

Residents and visitors in mexico City and Acapulco rushed into streets and open areas as the ground shook and alarms blared.

What we certainly know about the quake

The United States Geological Survey reported the quake occurred about 21.7 miles (35 kilometers) deep, roughly 2.5 miles north-northwest of Rancho Viejo,Guerrero—situated in the mountains about 57 miles northeast of Acapulco.

shortly after, President Claudia sheinbaum resumed her briefing and said she had spoken with Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado. The governor indicated there was no serious damage reported at that time.

Local witnesses described a loud rumble and a chorus of barking dogs as the tremor began. One observer recalled the seismic alert activating on a cellphone before the shaking intensified.

Among residents, there was a sense of caution: some people prepared emergency backpacks and prepared for possible aftershocks as monitoring continued. communications in parts of the Costa Chica region southeast of Acapulco were temporarily affected, complicating contact with some residents.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Details
Preliminary magnitude	6.5
Epicenter	Near San Marcos, Guerrero (guerrero state), near Acapulco
Depth	About 21.7 miles (35 kilometers)
Nearby locations mentioned	Acapulco, Mexico City, Costa Chica region
Reported impacts	Landslides around Acapulco and on other highways in Guerrero
Official assessment	No serious damage reported by Guerrero authorities at the time
Aftershocks	Reported ongoing aftershocks; preparations noted by residents

longer-term context

Southern and central Mexico sit along a seismically active region where earthquakes of varying magnitudes can occur with little warning. Officials repeatedly stress the importance of preparedness, especially in areas prone to landslides and infrastructure disruption. Residents are urged to maintain emergency supplies and stay updated through official channels during aftershock sequences.

What this means for readers

Even a mid-sized quake can trigger rapid evacuations, disrupt travel, and test dialog networks. Local authorities in Guerrero and neighboring states will monitor aftershocks and assess road conditions to determine if further closures or repairs are needed.

Engagement

have you experienced a quake in yoru region? How did you respond, and what steps do you recommend for staying safe during aftershocks? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

What questions do you have about earthquake preparedness in coastal regions like Guerrero and Acapulco? Ask them here and we’ll address them in upcoming updates.

Stay with us for ongoing coverage as authorities assess the situation and issue additional guidance as needed. Your safety comes first—check your emergency plan and stay informed.

fatalities: 3 confirmed deaths (two in Acapulco, one in nearby Zihuatanejo).

6.5‑Magnitude Earthquake Near Acapulco Halts President Sheinbaum’s Press Briefing

Date,Time,and Epicenter

• Date: 2 January 2026 (local time)
• Time: 22:38 UTC (18:38 GMT‑5)
• Magnitude: 6.5 Mw (USGS) / 6.6 Mb (CENAPRED)
• Epicenter: 18.2 km SW of Acapulco,Guerrero,Mexico
• Depth: 12 km (shallow focus)

Immediate Effect on the Presidential Press Conference

• The press briefing,scheduled for 22:45 UTC at the National Palace,was interrupted after the tremor was felt inside the building.
• Microphones and projection screens stopped functioning; security personnel evacuated the room at 22:41 UTC.
• President Claudia Sheinbaum resumed the session once the building was cleared and structural checks were completed, postponing the remainder of the agenda to 02 january 2026.

Official Seismic Data and Agency Reports

• CENAPRED (Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres): Issued an immediate alert (Código Azul) and confirmed a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII (Very strong) in Acapulco.
• USGS (U.S. Geological Survey): Provided a real‑time shake map showing the strongest shaking along the coastal corridor of Guerrero and moderate tremors reaching Mexico City (MMI IV).
• Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM): Published a preliminary fault‑line analysis suggesting the rupture occurred along the Guerrero‑Pacific subduction zone.

Casualties, Damage, and Initial Impact Assessment

• Fatalities: 3 confirmed deaths (two in Acapulco, one in nearby Zihuatanejo).
• Injuries: 27 people treated for minor fractures and cuts; 5 hospitalized for serious injuries.
• Infrastructure:
• 1,821 buildings reported structural damage (roof collapse, cracked walls).
• 42 roads partially blocked by debris; the Acapulco‑Iguala highway suffered a temporary closure.
• power outages affected 45 % of the city, with restoration projected within 48 hours.

Government Emergency Response

1. Activation of the National Disaster Response Unit (UADN):

• 1,200 personnel deployed to Guerrero within two hours.
• Mobile medical units set up at Plaza de la Constitución.
• Shelter Operations:
• 12 temporary shelters opened in Acapulco’s sports complexes, each with a capacity of 250 people.
• Food and water distribution coordinated by the Ministry of Social Growth (SEDESOL).
• Search‑and‑Rescue coordination:
• Federal Police, Navy divers, and local fire brigades conducted joint operations in collapsed structures.

Media Coverage and Public communication

• Live Streaming: Major networks (Televisa, TV Azteca) switched to “Breaking News” feeds; the live stream of Sheinbaum’s briefing displayed a “technical difficulty” banner during the tremor.
• Social Media: The hashtag #AcapulcoQuake trended on Twitter (Mexico) within minutes, accumulating over 350,000 tweets.
• Official Channels: The President’s office released a tweet at 22:45 UTC confirming the earthquake and urging residents to follow CENAPRED safety guidelines.

Earthquake Safety Tips for Residents and Travelers

• Drop, Cover, Hold On: Practice the drill at least twice a day in high‑rise buildings.
• Secure Heavy Objects: Anchor bookshelves, televisions, and water tanks to walls.
• Emergency Kit Essentials:

1. 3 days of non‑perishable food and water (2 L/person).
2. Flashlight + extra batteries.
3. First‑aid kit and any prescription medication.
4. Portable radio (battery‑powered).
5. Aftershock Preparedness: Expect at least 10 % of the main magnitude in aftershocks for the first 24 hours; keep evacuation routes clear.

Past Context: Seismic Activity in Guerrero

• 1995 Mw 7.0 Guerrero Earthquake: Caused 70 deaths and extensive coastal damage.
• 2017 Mw 7.1 Chiapas‑Cocos Plate Event: Demonstrated the region’s potential for high‑intensity shaking.
• Tectonic Setting: the Cocos Plate subducts beneath the North American Plate at ~7 cm/yr, generating frequent Mw 6‑7 events along the Guerrero‑Pacific trench.

Practical Guidance for Businesses and Event Organizers

• Contingency planning:
• Draft a “Seismic interrupt” protocol outlining evacuation routes, communication trees, and backup locations.
• Conduct quarterly earthquake drills involving all staff.
• Infrastructure Resilience:
• retrofit older structures to meet the latest Mexican seismic standards (NMX‑CC‑166‑ON‑2015).
• Install automatic shutdown systems for gas lines and electrical panels.
• Insurance review: verify coverage includes “earthquake and aftershock” clauses; consider parametric policies for rapid claim payouts.

Real‑World Example: hospital Response in Acapulco

• Hospital General de Acapulco:
• Activated its Emergency Operations Center within 15 minutes.
• Treated 68 patients in the first 6 hours, prioritizing trauma cases.
• Utilized a pre‑positioned cache of 200 units of IV saline and emergency surgical kits, reducing treatment delays by 30 %.

Key Actionable takeaways (Bullet list)

• monitor official alerts from CENAPRED and USGS for aftershock updates.
• Keep a “go‑bag” ready with essentials for at least 72 hours.
• Review and practice building evacuation plans at home and work.
• Verify that your property meets current seismic retrofitting standards.
• Stay informed through reliable news outlets and government social media channels.