Powerful Earthquake Strikes Mexico City and Acapulco

On Friday, parts of southern and central Mexico were shaken by a strong earthquake, leaving one person dead and causing injuries to several others. Despite the tremor's intensity, authorities reported minimal structural damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake with an initial magnitude of 6.5, pinpointing its epicenter in the vicinity of San Marcos in Guerrero, near Acapulco, a renowned beach destination on the Pacific coast.

The earthquake occurred about 21.7 miles beneath the surface, located just over two miles from Rancho Viejo, Guerrero. The seismic activity was perceptible as far away as Mexico City, over 250 miles distant.

In response to the tremors, people in both Mexico City and Acapulco hurriedly took to the streets to find safety.

Karen Gomez, residing on the 13th floor of a high-rise in Mexico City, shared with Agence France-Presse the alarming experience of being awoken by a siren that served as a quake warning.

"It was terrifying to wake up to the sound of an alert on my phone indicating a major earthquake," she recounted.

The civil defense agency noted various landslides affecting roads around Acapulco and other parts of Guerrero state.

A tragic incident occurred in Mexico City, where a 60-year-old man lost his life due to injuries sustained from a fall as he attempted to leave his apartment, according to AFP.

Mayor Clara Brugada of Mexico City verified the fatality through an official announcement. Meanwhile, she also updated social media with news that at least 12 individuals sustained injuries during the quake.

President Claudia Sheinbaum, disrupted mid-press briefing by the quake, mentioned having discussions with Guerrero's Governor Evelyn Salgado, who assured her that no major damage was being reported.

Dr. José Raymundo Díaz Taboada, residing atop one of Acapulco’s surrounding hills, described hearing a roaring noise accompanied by the barking of neighborhood dogs. His cellphone's seismic alert signaled just as the ground began to quiver intensely.

Although the shaking felt less severe compared to past earthquakes, Díaz Taboada had prudently packed an emergency bag, ready for possible evacuation amidst ongoing aftershocks. He expressed concern about not being able to contact friends living along the Costa Chica due to communication interruptions.

Situated at the convergence of five tectonic plates, Mexico is known for heavy seismic activity.

Historically, the region has faced devastating quakes such as the 1985 earthquake with an 8.1 magnitude that resulted in thousands of deaths, especially impacting Mexico City. In 2017, a 7.1 quake on September 19 led to 369 fatalities, largely in the capital.