Mexico hit by 6.5-magnitude earthquake: 2 dead and 12 injured, presidential palace evacuated

Mexico City (The Uttam Hindu): A powerful earthquake shook southern Mexico on the second day of 2026. Local officials said a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico, killing two people and injuring 12 others.

State Governor Evelyn Salgado said Friday's quake was centered in Guerrero. In Guerrero state, a 50-year-old woman died when a house collapsed.

A 60-year-old man in the Benito Juarez municipality stumbled and fell during a rescue operation after the quake and later died, Xinhua news agency reported, citing an official statement from the municipality.

Mexico City's government chief, Clara Brugada, wrote on the social media platform X that 12 people were injured after activating earthquake response protocols. Power supply was also disrupted in various areas, with 18 complaints received.

He said two buildings were being assessed for collapse risk, and 34 buildings and five homes were being inspected as a precautionary measure. President Claudia Sheinbaum had to evacuate the presidential palace during her usual morning press conference.

Mexico's National Seismological Service said the quake struck at 7:58 a.m. local time, with its epicenter about 4 kilometers southwest of San Marcos in the southern state of Guerrero. The quake had a depth of about 5 kilometers.

In Mexico City, street loudspeakers sounded a seismic alert several seconds before the tremor was felt. The states of Sonora, Baja California, and Oaxaca also experienced tremors ranging from moderate to severe.