At a Glance
- The quake measured a preliminary 6.5 magnitude.
- Epicenter near San Marcos, Guerrero, close to Acapulco.
- Landslides reported on highways around Acapulco.
- Why it matters: The tremor disrupted a presidential briefing and shook communities from Mexico City to the Pacific coast.
A powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico on Friday, rattling the coast near Acapulco and interrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first press briefing of the year. The seismic event triggered landslides and caused widespread panic among residents and tourists.
Earthquake Strikes Guerrero
The National Seismological Agency reported the tremor at a depth of 21.7 miles and 2.5 miles north-northwest of Rancho Viejo, Guerrero, roughly 57 miles northeast of Acapulco. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the epicenter near San Marcos, a town in Guerrero’s southern region. Landslides were reported on highways surrounding Acapulco, and residents in Mexico City and Acapulco fled into the streets.
- Magnitude: 6.5
- Depth: 21.7 miles
- Epicenter: near San Marcos, Guerrero
- Distance from Acapulco: 57 miles northeast
- Reports of landslides on highways
Reactions and Aftermath
President Claudia Sheinbaum resumed her briefing shortly after the quake and said she spoke with Guerrero’s Gov. Evelyn Salgado, who reported no serious damage. Local doctor and human-rights defender José Raymundo Díaz Taboada described the shaking as lighter than past quakes and noted that communications were cut to friends on the Costa Chica.
José Raymundo Díaz Taboada stated:
> “In that moment the seismic alert went off on my cell phone, and then the shaking began to feel strong with a lot of noise.”
José Raymundo Díaz Taboada added:
> “The shaking was lighter than in some previous quakes, and I had prepared a backpack of essentials to be ready to leave as the aftershocks continued.”
José Raymundo Díaz Taboada said:
> “I had been unable to reach some friends who live along the Costa Chica southeast of Acapulco because communications were cut.”
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 6.5 |
| Depth | 21.7 miles |
| Epicenter | Near San Marcos, Guerrero |
| Distance from Acapulco | 57 miles northeast |
Key Takeaways
- The quake struck at a depth of 21.7 miles and triggered landslides.
- No serious damage reported by officials.
- Communications disruptions affected residents on the Costa Chica.
The tremor underscored the region’s seismic vulnerability, but authorities report that damage remains limited and communities are preparing for possible aftershocks.
