Un earthquake measuring 6,5 on the Richter scale An earthquake shook central and southern Mexico early Friday morning, waking millions of people and triggering seismic alarms in several cities across the country. The tremor, described as severe according to the National Seismological Service (SSN)It occurred at 7:58 local time (14:58 in mainland Spain) and was clearly felt in the Mexican capital.
The tremor had its epicenter off the coast of the state of GuerreroAn earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean, about 15 kilometers southwest of the municipality of San Marcos, with a hypocenter located at a depth of approximately ten kilometers. Although initial reports indicated no significant damage, as the hours passed, more damage was confirmed. Two people dead, at least twelve injured and various material damagesespecially in areas near the epicenter and in some parts of Mexico City.
Epicenter in Guerrero and initial damage assessments
According to the SSN, the earthquake was located Off the coast of GuerreroVery close to San Marcos and less than 100 kilometers from Acapulco, one of the country's main tourist destinations. The Mexican seismological agency and the United States Geological Survey placed the epicenter of the earthquake at a depth of between ten and 35 kilometers, in an area of high seismic activity linked to the interaction of several tectonic plates.
The governor of Guerrero, Evelyn Salgado, reported that the earthquake It caused damage in at least 16 municipalitiesReports included gas leaks, minor landslides, fallen trees and power poles, and debris accumulation on roads. In the Acapulco area, the following were recorded: landslides and small mudslides in some sections of the track, which required cleaning and inspection work by Civil Protection.
In the municipality of San Marcos, one of the closest to the epicenter, local authorities estimated around 500 homes affectedMany of them were built in a rustic style with materials that are not very resistant to earthquakes. In the port of Acapulco, it was also confirmed that collapse of a restaurant whose second floor was used as a residenceThis increased concern in a population still marked by previous seismic events.
The Tsunami Warning Center of the Mexican Navy indicated that, with the information available, variations in sea level could occur in areas near the epicenter. Although no widespread tsunami warning was issued, the Pacific coastline was monitored for any unusual changes and to provide guidance to coastal residents.
Fatalities, injuries and damage in Mexico City
As the day progressed, the National Coordination of Civil Protection (CNPC) confirmed the Two people died as a result of the earthquakeOne of the victims was a woman in her 50s in the community of Las Minas, in the municipality of San Marcos (Guerrero), where The roof of their home collapsed after the earthquakeThe other victim was a man around 60-67 years old in the Benito Juárez borough, in the north of Mexico City, who died after falling and suffering a possible cardiac arrest while evacuating his home.
Mexican authorities also reported At least twelve people injured in various locations, some in the state of Guerrero and others in the capital. Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada explained that the assessments Dozens of buildings at risk of collapse, around 40 properties in total, with two structures that presented a possible danger of collapse and required closer monitoring.
Cases were also recorded in the capital incidents in approximately 44 electrical transformersThis caused power outages in several neighborhoods. The Federal Electricity Commission deployed crews to restore service, which, according to Civil Protection, was 99,99% restored in the affected areas, with only about one hundred people still needing to be reconnected. A house fire was reported, as well as several tree trunks falling on the ground. power lines and fiber optic lines, which were removed to clear the streets.
Public transportation in Mexico City, including the subway and other mobility systems, It continued to operate with relative normality. Following initial security checks, the capital's airport maintained operations without major incidents, after confirming that the runways and terminals showed no structural damage. At La Raza Hospital of the Mexican Social Security Institute, only minor injuries were reported. minor damage to items such as lamps, without impact on healthcare.
Alarm during Claudia Sheinbaum's press conference
One of the most striking moments of the day occurred in Mexico City, where the earthquake interrupted the president's morning press conferenceClaudia Sheinbaum. While the mayor was answering questions from journalists, seismic alarms began to sound in the room and outside, forcing the immediate evacuation of everyone present as per emergency protocols.
Both Sheinbaum and the Presidential staff and the media They left the premises and headed to safe areas.Following the instructions of Civil Protection. Once the main movement had ended and after an initial assessment, the press conference resumed later, with the president herself explaining that she had already established contact with the authorities of Guerrero to learn about the situation on the ground.
The president indicated that, according to the preliminary information conveyed to her by Governor Evelyn Salgado, No major damage had been detected in key state infrastructure, although there were multiple impacts on private homes and basic services. In the case of Mexico City, Sheinbaum pointed out that helicopter overflights Inspections carried out immediately after the earthquake had not revealed serious damage to strategic buildings, although numerous residential and office buildings were ordered to be inspected.
Images of the press room being evacuated and the president interrupting her speech went around the world, illustrating the speed with which seismic protocols are activated in a country that lives with the daily risk of earthquakes. The scene was reminiscent of previous episodes in which drills and alert systems have allowed people to gain crucial seconds to reach safety.
Mass evacuations, scenes of fear, and constant aftershocks
In numerous neighborhoods of the capital and in several cities in the center and south of the country, people They ran out into the street when they heard the earthquake alarm emitted both by the loudspeakers installed on lampposts and by the mobile apps and the telephone alert system. Many residents were surprised in the middle of the morning, some still in bed, and recounted the fright of noticing the buildings swaying.
Testimonies gathered by international media describe the tremor as Intense, but somewhat shorter and less devastating than previous earthquakesSeveral residents said they prepared backpacks with essentials in case aftershocks forced them to leave their homes for longer, a practice that has become part of the routine of the population in seismic regions.
The National Seismological Service reported that, following the main tremor, the following were recorded hundreds of replicas Throughout the day. Initially, reports indicated over 500, but later counts raised the figure to over 850, with the strongest aftershock reaching a magnitude of 4,7 on the Richter scale. These minor tremors were felt in some parts of the country, although they were not associated with any additional serious damage.
In the state of Veracruz, on the Gulf of Mexico coast, Governor RocÃo Nahle explained that the movement was felt with strength in several areas of the territoryincluding regions such as Tres Valles, Córdoba, Los Tuxtlas, Xalapa, Orizaba, Huatusco, and Coatzacoalcos. The state Civil Protection coordination launched inspections to assess potential damage, emphasizing that, for the time being, No damage was detected to strategic infrastructure and that the teams continued to conduct coordinated verification tours.
In addition to Veracruz, cases were reported in the corridor between Cuernavaca and Acapulco. landslides and small collapses on the highwayThis prompted increased caution on the roads and the deployment of heavy machinery to stabilize the slopes. Residents of the mountainous area surrounding Acapulco described a loud rumble before the earthquake and the sensation of the ground vibrating with intense noises, while communications were momentarily interrupted in some coastal towns.
Civil Protection response and situation for Europe and Spain
From the first minute after the earthquake, Mexican authorities emphasized that they activated all Civil Protection protocols at the federal, state, and municipal levels. In Guerrero, the National Defense Secretariat lifted a command post in San Marcos to coordinate emergency efforts, the distribution of basic aid, and the assessment of damage to homes and essential services.
Civil protection officials stressed to the public the importance of Stay informed only through official channelsAvoid spreading rumors and immediately report any hazardous situations, such as cracks in structures, gas odors, or downed power lines. At the same time, the need to be vigilant for aftershocks, which could cause further landslides or worsen existing damage, was emphasized.
For the international community, and especially for Spanish and European citizens who reside or travel through MexicoThis type of event reinforces the recommendation to closely follow the instructions of local authorities. European embassies and consulates in the country typically activate information channels and emergency hotlines for their citizens after an earthquake of this magnitude, although on this occasion, no casualties from the European Union have been reported so far.
In Spain, the earthquake was followed through international agencies and media, with particular attention to its impact on tourist destinations very popular with European travelers, such as Mexico City, Acapulco, and other coastal areas of Guerrero and Veracruz. In any case, Mexican airports and major infrastructure continued operating, which reduced the likelihood of major disruptions to transatlantic flights.
Mexico is located in one of the most seismically active regions on the planet, being situated on the convergence of up to five tectonic platesThese include the Cocos, North American, and Caribbean seismic zones. This configuration means the country regularly experiences thousands of tremors each year, although only a fraction are clearly felt. For travelers from Europe, generally accustomed to more moderate seismic activity, understanding this reality and becoming familiar with basic emergency protocols can make all the difference in an emergency.
Mexico City, a city especially vulnerable to earthquakes
A significant part of Mexico City is built on ancient lakebeds with muddy soilsThese are remnants of the great lake upon which the Aztec capital was built. This geological condition amplifies seismic waves, so earthquakes originating on the coast of Guerrero, less than 400 kilometers away, are felt with particular intensity in the metropolis.
Mexican collective memory is marked by the devastating earthquake of 1985The 8,1 magnitude earthquake caused thousands of deaths—more than 12.800 according to some official counts, and around 20.000 according to civil organizations—and destroyed large areas of the capital. That disaster marked a turning point in emergency management, building design, and citizen involvement in rescue and prevention efforts.
Also on September 19, 2017, a magnitude 7,1 earthquake left 369 deaths, most of them in Mexico CityThis reinforced the perception of vulnerability in a city with over 20 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area. Since then, the city government and scientific institutions have promoted increasingly sophisticated early warning systems, which include sirens on public roads, devices in buildings, and smartphone applications.
In the current earthquake, many residents recounted how their cell phones triggered an alert before the shaking arrived, allowing them gain crucial seconds to evacuateFurthermore, the city's loudspeakers broadcast the familiar earthquake alert, now an integral part of daily life in the capital. All of this explains why, despite the scare and the 6,5 magnitude earthquake, the damage was not comparable to that of other, more dramatic events.
The combination of historical memory, technological advances, and increasingly tested protocols has led Mexico to become one of the countries with best seismic detection and warning systems in the regionHowever, the dispersion of precarious housing in rural areas and informal settlements remains a major challenge to reducing the impact of these natural phenomena.
What happened with the 6,5 magnitude earthquake in Mexico shows once again the extent to which A moderate-to-strong earthquake can disrupt the daily lives of millions of peopleEven when strategic infrastructure holds up and early warning systems function reasonably well, two deaths, a dozen injuries, hundreds of damaged homes, and the image of the president interrupting her address to evacuate serve as a reminder that the country remains exposed to a constant seismic risk, closely monitored from Europe due to the close human, economic, and tourism ties between the two sides of the Atlantic.
