A magnitude 6.5 earthquake with epicenter near San Marcos, Guerrero, struck at 7:58 a.m. on January 2, 2026, resulting in two deaths, 16 injuries, and minor infrastructure damage. Authorities activated emergency protocols as the National Seismological Service reported over 800 aftershocks.
The magnitude 6.5 earthquake, recorded at 7:58 a.m. on January 2, 2026, had its epicenter about 10 kilometers southwest of San Marcos, Guerrero, according to the National Seismological Service (SSN). The event, caused by a thrust fault in the subduction zone where the Cocos Plate slides under the North American Plate, was strongly felt in Guerrero, Mexico City (CDMX), Mexico State, Oaxaca, and other regions.
By 6:00 p.m., the SSN tallied 854 aftershocks, the largest at magnitude 4.7. Guerrero, accounting for 25% of the nation's seismicity, faces heightened risk due to the 'Guerrero Gap,' a coastal segment without major quakes since 1911, accumulating tectonic energy for over 108 years. SSN experts note this event does not lessen the risk of a larger quake, as it occurred at the gap's edge, and earthquakes cannot be predicted with certainty.
Victims include a woman around 50 years old in Las Minas, Guerrero, from a house collapse, and a man about 60 in CDMX, who died falling down stairs during evacuation in the Álamos neighborhood, Benito Juárez. Reports indicate 12 injuries in CDMX (from fallen poles, trees, and power outages) and four in Guerrero, plus bee stings. Guerrero saw impacts in 16 municipalities, with damage to 500 homes, an ISSSTE hospital in Chilpancingo, and minor road slides like on Tixtla-Chilpancingo. Acapulco's airport suffered ceiling collapse in the control tower and broken glass, akin to minor issues in AICM's Terminal 2.
Governor Evelyn Salgado visited San Marcos with Mayor Misael Lorenzo Castillo, declaring a permanent session of the State Civil Protection Council. The Sedena's Plan DN-III-E and Navy's Plan Marina were activated. In CDMX, Clara Brugada reported inspections of 34 buildings and two at collapse risk. President Claudia Sheinbaum evacuated the morning press conference at National Palace and confirmed contact with local authorities, reporting no major initial damage. The CFE restored 100% of electricity by afternoon, after outages affecting 121,000 users.
The SSN stresses prevention: 'No scientific techniques exist to predict earthquakes.' Recommendations include checking for gas leaks, electrical systems, and structural cracks before re-entering buildings.
