Major 6.5 Earthquake Rocks Acapulco, Mexico

Powerful 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Acapulco and Central Mexico

Photo by Francisco ROBLES / AFP

Residents and tourists in the coastal resort city of Acapulco were jolted into the streets on Tuesday after a strong 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Guerrero. The tremor, which occurred at a relatively shallow depth, sent ripples of panic across southern Mexico and was felt as far away as the capital, Mexico City.

A Sudden Jolt in the Middle of the Day

The earthquake struck with little warning, though Mexico’s sophisticated seismic alert system gave residents in major cities a few precious seconds to evacuate buildings. In Acapulco, the shaking was described by witnesses as "violent and prolonged," causing glass to shatter and furniture to shift in high-rise hotels overlooking the Pacific.

Thousands of people, including vacationers in swimwear and office workers, gathered in open plazas and along the coastal boulevard as the ground swayed. While the region is no stranger to seismic activity, the intensity of this particular event sparked immediate fears of structural collapses.

Assessment of Damages and Infrastructure

Initial reports from local civil protection authorities suggest that while the city was heavily shaken, the most severe damage was localized. Some older structures in the downtown area reported cracked facades and fallen masonry, while several neighborhoods experienced immediate power outages as transformers blew out during the peak of the shaking.

In Mexico City, the sway was felt significantly in the central districts built on ancient lakebeds. Office towers were evacuated as a precaution, but the Mayor’s office confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties or major infrastructure failure in the capital.

Emergency crews are currently conducting "fly-over" inspections and ground patrols to ensure that mountain roads remain passable, as landslides are a frequent secondary hazard in the Guerrero highlands.

Living on the Ring of Fire

Mexico remains one of the most seismically active regions in the world, sitting atop the intersection of several tectonic plates. This 6.5 magnitude event serves as a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to the "Ring of Fire."

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, as aftershocks are highly likely in the coming 24 to 48 hours. Families are being encouraged to check their emergency kits and "mochilas de emergencia" (emergency backpacks) as the region continues to settle.

As of this afternoon, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has confirmed that there is no immediate threat of a tsunami for the Mexican coastline, providing a small sigh of relief for a city that is still very much on edge.