The day September 19, 2017, will forever be etched in Mexico’s collective memory as one of the most tragic and emotional moments in recent history. Exactly 32 years after the devastating 1985 earthquake, Mexico City was hit again by a magnitude 7.1 quake that left death, destruction, and a wave of national solidarity in its wake.
The Building on the Brink of Collapse
In the Roma Sur neighborhood, a six-story office building on Álvaro Obregón Street began to creak violently mere seconds after the earthquake struck. Witnesses recall walls cracking and concrete falling like a controlled demolition. “The windows were exploding, the building was moving from side to side as if it were made of paper. I thought we wouldn’t get out alive,” said a survivor who narrowly escaped the partial collapse.
Emergency Response
As the building’s central structure gave way, many occupants were trapped in the rubble. The response was immediate: members of the Navy, Mexican Army, Civil Protection, and hundreds of volunteers rushed to the scene to rescue those trapped.
For several days, brigade members worked tirelessly, clearing debris with shovels, picks, and even their bare hands, fueled by hope and determination to find survivors. Though sadly, some bodies were recovered, others were rescued alive, bearing testament to the heroism of those who refused to give up.
Impact
The earthquake’s devastating impact was felt nationwide: more than 370 lives lost across Mexico City, Puebla, and Morelos; thousands of buildings damaged or destroyed; schools and hospitals collapsing; millions evacuated and psychologically affected. Amidst chaos and destruction, an unprecedented social movement emerged, with ordinary citizens becoming rescuers, doctors, cooks, transporters, and organizers.
Rebuilding and Reflection
In the aftermath, the Mexico City government implemented structural assessments, reconstruction plans, and victim support programs. Though progress was made, the earthquake also exposed weaknesses in construction oversight and permitting, sparking debates about urban safety in seismic zones.
Conclusion
The earthquake of September 19, 2017, shook not just buildings but consciences. It reminded us of cities’ vulnerability to nature’s forces, yet demonstrated Mexican solidarity’s strength. That building that nearly collapsed in Mexico City today bears witness to the pain and heroism of a people who refuse to fall.