**President AMLO Lowers Flag to Half-Mast in Memory of Earthquake Victims from 1985 and 2017**
On September 19, 2024, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador led a ceremony to lower the Mexican flag to half-mast in remembrance of the victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck Mexico City on the same date in 1985 and 2017. The President walked from the National Palace to the Zócalo’s flagpole, where he conducted the honors to the flag and the national anthem was sung. Precisely at 7:19 AM, the exact time when the 1985 earthquake occurred, the President lowered the flag to half-mast.
At 7:23 AM, the Armed Forces performed the military bugle call ‘Silence’ in honor of those who perished in the earthquakes, followed by the national anthem once again. The ceremony concluded at 7:27 AM, after which the entire presidential entourage returned to the National Palace.
Dignitaries present included the Head of Government of Mexico City, Martí Batres Guadarrama, the heads of National Defense (SEDENA), Luis Cresencio Sandoval González, and the Navy (SEMAR), José Rafael Ojeda Durán. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the president-elect, also attended, along with other key officials from various government departments, such as Luis María Alcalde Luján from the Ministry of the Interior and Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez from the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection.
The date, September 19, has been designated as the National Day of Civil Protection since 2001. The 1985 earthquake, recorded at 8.1 magnitude, resulted in over 3,000 deaths, while the 2017 quake with a magnitude of 7.1 affected states including Mexico City, Morelos, Puebla, and others, causing 370 deaths and injuring over 7,000 people.
**National Earthquake Drill to Take Place on September 19**
The National Coordination of Civil Protection will conduct a nationwide earthquake drill on September 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM. The drill will involve two million participants and for the first time, a ‘seismic alert’ will be sent via SMS to people’s cell phones. The drill will simulate four main scenarios: two earthquakes and two hurricanes affecting various regions of the country, allowing authorities to analyze and improve their emergency response protocols.
In Mexico City, the C5 will use nearly 14,000 surveillance posts for the seismic alert, while other states will use loudspeakers and local broadcasting stations. The objectives are to inform the public, promote civil protection culture, enhance response capabilities, and ensure the safety of buildings and evacuation routes.
Additionally, the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) provided technical specifications for cellular devices to receive the seismic alert message. Compatible phones should support Cellular Broadcast Service and have updated operating systems. The message will be displayed immediately upon dissemination, accompanied by a distinctive sound and vibration, ensuring preparedness and effective communication during real emergencies.
**Additional News:**
### **Mexico’s Nationwide Earthquake Drill on September 19**
Government authorities across Mexico are gearing up for a significant nationwide earthquake drill scheduled for September 19, 2024. This annual event marks an important date in the country’s collective memory, reflecting on the tragic seismic events of the past. The drill will simulate four disaster scenarios—a magnitude 8.0 earthquake in Acapulco, a 7.8 earthquake in Bavispe, Sonora, and two hurricanes impacting different regions.
Officials have emphasized public participation, highlighting that two million people are expected to take part, bolstered by the strategic use of mobile alerts and public address systems. This collaboration aims to better prepare communities for potential future natural disasters, ensuring swift and coordinated emergency responses.
The initiative underscores the importance of proactive civil protection measures and community resilience, aiming to mitigate the impact of such potentially devastating events through continuous education and preparation.