Wilgens Sirise
Strong Earthquake Shakes Mexico Today: What Happened and the Damage Reported
A powerful earthquake struck southern and central Mexico on January 2, 2026, causing strong shaking felt hundreds of miles away and prompting widespread alarm across the country. According to seismic authorities, the quake registered a preliminary magnitude of 6.5, with its epicenter near San Marcos in the state of Guerrero, close to the Pacific coastal city of Acapulco, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. AP News
The earthquake hit in the morning hours, catching many by surprise and triggering seismic alarms across the region. In Mexico City, the nation’s capital more than 250 miles from the epicenter, the shaking was strong enough to force residents out of buildings and into the streets as the ground rolled beneath them. The tremors were powerful enough to interrupt President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first press briefing of the year, prompting an immediate evacuation of the press room before she later resumed her address. Reuters+1
Witnesses described the quake as sudden and intense. Many residents reported loud rumbling noises, rattling walls, and even the sound of dogs barking in fear as the ground shook. In Mexico City, some people were awakened by emergency alerts on their phones, while others felt their high-rise apartments sway noticeably. CBS News
Officials say the depth of the earthquake was about 21.7 miles (around 35 kilometers), which is relatively shallow and contributes to stronger surface shaking. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) noted that numerous aftershocks followed the main quake, with local seismological services recording more than 500 smaller tremors in the hours after the first shock. AP News
While Mexico has extensive earthquake-preparedness systems and building codes, the event still resulted in loss of life and damage to structures. Local authorities confirmed at least two deaths directly linked to the earthquake. In Guerrero, a 50-year-old woman died when her home collapsed near the epicenter, and in Mexico City, a man died after falling while evacuating his building, according to local reports. Several others were injured during the shaking or while trying to escape buildings. CBS News+1
In addition to the human toll, structural damage was reported in some areas. Landslides were observed around Acapulco and along several highways, creating dangerous travel conditions and complicating rescue and assessment efforts. A hospital in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state, sustained damage, leading officials to evacuate patients as a safety precaution. AP News
Despite the severe shaking, initial reports indicate that many areas did not suffer catastrophic damage to infrastructure. However, assessments are ongoing, and local governments have mobilized emergency response teams to survey buildings, roads, and utilities, and to support communities most affected by the quake. Reuters
Mexico is one of the most seismically active countries in the world due to its position along major tectonic plate boundaries in the Pacific region. Earthquakes of this size are not uncommon, but each event tests the resilience of communities and emergency systems.
By. Wilgens Sirise
