6.5 magnitude earthquake rattles Mexico City and Acapulco, a popular tourist hotspot

Updated on: January 2, 2026 / 5:24 PM EST / CBS/AP

6.5 magnitude earthquake rattles Mexico City and Acapulco, a popular tourist hotspot

TL;DR

  • A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck southern and central Mexico on Friday.
  • At least two people were killed and several others were injured.
  • The earthquake's epicenter was near San Marcos in the state of Guerrero, close to Acapulco.
  • The quake was felt over 250 miles away in Mexico City, causing residents and tourists to evacuate buildings.
  • Minor landslides were reported around Acapulco and on highways in Guerrero.
  • One death occurred in Mexico City from injuries sustained during evacuation, and another in Guerrero when a home collapsed.
  • Mexico is one of the world's most seismically active countries due to its location between five tectonic plates.
  • Past significant earthquakes in Mexico include a 6.2 magnitude quake in January 2025, an 8.1 magnitude quake in 1985, a 7.1 magnitude quake in 2017, and a 7.6 magnitude quake in 2022.