Residents evacuate as 6.5-magnitude earthquake strikes southern Mexico

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico early on Friday, killing at least two people and causing damage in Guerrero state.

President Claudia Sheinbaum was speaking at her morning news conference when earthquake alarms sounded.

She noted the ground was shaking beneath her before she calmy evacuated with journalists.

Guerrero’s governor, Evelyn Salgado, said a 50-year-old woman was killed when her home collapsed during the tremor.

Mexican media also reported the death of a 67-year-old man in Mexico City, who fell while evacuating his apartment building.

Authorities said the earthquake caused landslides on highways, gas leaks, and damage to homes, public buildings and hospitals across Guerrero.

There has been no major structural damage reported in the Mexico City.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of about 35 kilometres. Mexico’s seismological service recorded more than 400 aftershocks by midday, the strongest measuring magnitude 4.7.

Emergency services remained on alert as inspections continued in affected areas.

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