6.5-magnitude earthquake in southern Mexico shakes the capital, interrupts President Sheinbaum’s presser

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Mexico’s Guerrero state on Friday, (January 2) disrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference in Mexico City and triggering evacuations.

The quake, centred near Rancho Viejo, caused buildings to sway and sent residents and patients pouring into the streets as seismic alarms blared across the capital.

The tremor, with a depth of 35 kilometres, was felt strongly in Mexico City and neighbouring states, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Sheinbaum was addressing reporters when the quake hit, forcing an immediate evacuation of the press conference. Residents reported seeing lamps and blinds sway violently, and hospitals moved patients outside as a precaution.

Sheinbaum later said that no serious damage was reported, according to the Guerrero state governor. The quake reignited fears in a country frequently hit by seismic activity. Mexico sits on several fault lines, and memories of past earthquakes remain fresh among its population.

Production: Diego Delgado, Hugo Monnet, Anna Portella, Dessire Carrion/Reuters