Reports are still being tallied and are expected to rise as data comes in from the six most affected communities and the rest of the municipality's 65 localities. The alleged death of one person is under investigation. In a video message accompanied by Mayor Lorenzo Castillo Valente, it was explained that the Municipal Civil Protection Council was immediately activated after the earthquake, and an operation was deployed to assist the population. "We are working with commissioners to determine the type of damage and how many homes were affected. Many communities have yet to report their damages; we ask for patience," he said. The official noted that aftershocks could continue for the next few days. "After such a strong movement, significant aftershocks follow. So far, some of magnitudes between 4.5 and 5 have been recorded; stay in open and safe places," he added, and called on the population to prioritize their safety and follow only official information. Meanwhile, municipal president Lorenzo Castillo detailed that an aid plan with municipal, state, and federal personnel was deployed from the moment of the earthquake. "We will tour all the communities, especially the municipal seat, and we ask commissioners and delegates to send us their damage reports. We remain attentive to the aftershocks," he stated. Castillo confirmed that a command post has been set up at the new municipal market, considered one of the safest areas, where elements of the Navy, state Civil Protection, and the Mexican Army are already operating with the DN-III plan activated. Additionally, he thanked the coordination and support of the state governor, who has been constantly monitoring the situation via video calls and supervising the relief efforts. The head of the Municipal Civil Protection Directorate specified that the operation includes structural evaluations of homes, damage censuses, assistance to displaced families, and coordination with state and federal agencies for the delivery of aid. "We are attending all reports from the citizenry and restoring services. Damaged homes are concentrated in both the municipal seat and rural communities, many built with adobe or light materials, which are more vulnerable to seismic movements. The Civil Protection Directorate urges caution in the face of aftershocks and avoiding returning to structures that may be compromised. Authorities have also established communication channels for citizens to report damage and request assistance through the official municipal page, the Civil Protection page, and the director's WhatsApp, with priority given to the most urgent reports. The magnitude 6.5 earthquake, with its epicenter 15 kilometers south of San Marcos, Guerrero, caused damage to at least 500 homes and activated a special aid operation coordinated among municipal, state, and federal authorities. According to the Municipal Civil Protection Director, Diego Armando Valente, 300 of the affected houses are made of adobe and 200 of other materials, while approximately 70 adobe homes partially collapsed. So far, there are no reported fatalities, though at least four people have suffered minor injuries and nervous breakdowns.
