A significant earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale has jolted Mexico, disrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum’s inaugural press conference of the year.

The quake struck on Friday morning, with its epicenter located approximately 15 kilometers southwest of San Marcos in Guerrero state, close to the popular destination of Acapulco, as reported by the national seismological agency.

The seismic activity set off alarms in Mexico City, prompting a mass evacuation as hundreds of residents fled their buildings.

Social media platforms were soon flooded with footage capturing the chaos in the capital. People could be seen scrambling to safety on the streets, and other videos depicted the intense shaking inside homes and businesses.

Photographs also revealed numerous individuals waiting outside apartment complexes and office buildings, having been instructed to leave and gather safely outdoors.

President Sheinbaum’s morning briefing was interrupted as a result of the earthquake, with a video circulating on X showing how the Mexican leader and those attending the meeting were forced to leave the building as seismic alarms sounded.

Ten minutes after the alert sounded, Sheinbaum resumed the press conference. 

‘It appears there is no serious damage, but we will wait for the report from Guerrero’, she told members of the press.

People stand after leaving a building following an earthquake, Mexico City, Mexico, January 2, 2026

People wait on the street after evacuating following an earthquake, in Mexico City, Mexico, January 2, 2026

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (C) reacts in a courtyard of the National Palace following an earthquake in Mexico City, Mexico, 02 January 2026, which resulted in her first press briefing of the year being interrupted 

The Mexican leader added that she had made initial contact with the governor of Guerrero, Evelyn Salgado, who told her all protocols had already been activated, and that the extent of the earthquake was being reviewed. 

In Acacapulco, tourists were also seen rushing into the streets when the shaking begn. 

So far, no serious damage or casualties have been reported. 

The earthquake in Mexico comes just two days after the US Geological Survey issued a ShakeAlert for California and Nevada after a 5.0 magnitude tremor struck. 

Residents reported feeling shaking across California, western Nevada , and southern Oregon, with many sharing their experiences on social media.

One person wrote on X: ‘A 5.3-magnitude quake is a serious wake-up call for infrastructure resilience in NorCal. 

‘While the ShakeAlert system is a lifesaver, we need to focus on long-term seismic safety and emergency preparedness.’

A woman wearing a bathrobe walks outside of a building, after an earthquake, in Mexico City, Mexico, January 2, 2026

A resident carrying his dogs rushes into the street following an earthquake in Mexico City, Mexico

Tourists wait on the roadside after hotels were evacuated following an earthquake in Acapulco, Mexico, January 2, 2026

Several Californians and Nevadans said the quake shook their homes.

The USGS detected at least six aftershocks, ranging from a 2.1 to 2.5 magnitude, since the larger one hit.

No damage or injuries were reported, according to the Susanville Police Department.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.