News Around the Republic of Mexico | September 2009
Calderón Leads Tribute on Earthquake's 24th Anniversary Laura Bringas - Presidencia de la República go to original September 21, 2009
On September 19, 1985, at 7:17 A.M., a Richter magnitude 8.1 earthquake occurred on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The damage was concentrated in a 25 km2 area of Mexico City, 350 km from the epicenter. Of a population of 18 million, an estimated 10,000 people were killed, and 50,000 were injured. In addition, 250,000 people lost their homes, and property damage amounted to $5 billion. Over 800 buildings crumbled, including hotels, hospitals, schools, and businesses. Communications between the Mexican capitol and the outside world were interrupted for many days.
Saturday, President Calderón raised the National Flag to half-mast in Constitution Square where a minute of silence was held in honor of the Mexicans that died during the 1985 earthquakes. Afterwards, in honor of National Civil Protection Day, he confirmed Federal Government's commitment to citizens' protection and security. “People’s safety is a key issue. That is why we will continue acting responsibly, working as a team and with a vision of the future regarding civil protection because that is the only way we will be able to prevent tragedies from overwhelming us,” he said. In the Treasury Hall at the National Palace he declared, “Today, 24 years after the 1985 earthquakes, we pay tribute to the thousands of Mexicans that lost their lives in one of the greatest tragedies of national life." He recalled that the earthquakes of September 19 and 20 of that year left a trail of grief that shook the country. However, he added, the memory of that event is not only filled with sadness but is also a memory of bravery, civic dignity and pride. Accompanied by Secretaries of the Interior, National Defense and the Navy, Fernando Gómez Mont, General Guillermo Galván Galván and Almirante Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza, respectively, President Calderon explained that the 1985 earthquakes awoke the Mexico of solidarity, brotherhood and humanity, the Mexico of unity and collective work to overcome the challenges we must deal with and the Mexico that is not cowed by adversity and always finds a way forward. The President added that in addition to this civic awakening, the greatest lesson this tragedy left Mexicans is the importance of having an effective National Civil Protection System, because ever since then, Mexico has been preparing to provide better protection for the population from any emergency or disaster. In this respect, he said that despite the progress achieved, there is still a great deal of room for improvement. In particular, he said, efforts must be made to improve coordination between the various orders of government within our scheme of Civil Protection and respond more effectively to the emergencies that occur. For example, he said, during this season of rain and hurricanes, the National Civil Protection System is ready to protect Mexicans’ lives and assets. In particular, participating federal offices are ready to alert, organize and where necessary evacuate the population in danger and assist it, as it has done and will continue to do in keeping with the Mexican Army’s DN-III Plan and Navy Plan. The President declared that “in the face of contingencies and disasters, Mexicans have always pulled through thanks to unity, solidarity, fraternity and generosity.” That is why, he continued, “With the strength of our values and ideals, with the strength of the many things that link us, I am sure that we will continue coping with and overcoming these and other challenges of our time.”
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News Around the Republic of Mexico | September 2009 
Laura Bringas - Presidencia de la República
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