Mexico Conducts Second National Earthquake Drill, Activates Mass Cell Phone Alert System

Mexico today conducted its Second National Earthquake Drill of 2025, a comprehensive nationwide exercise aimed at bolstering the country's preparedness for seismic events and other natural disasters. The drill, which commenced at 12:00 PM Central Time, marked a significant milestone with the activation of a mass alert system on over 80 million cell phones across the country.

Nationwide Simulation and Alert System Test

The core of the drill involved a simulated 8.1-magnitude earthquake with its hypothetical epicenter located off the coast of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán. This scenario prompted emergency protocols in numerous states, including Guerrero, Jalisco, Mexico City, Colima, Oaxaca, Morelos, Estado de México, Guanajuato, Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz. In a historic move for civil protection, the drill included the first national test of a cell phone-based mass alert system. Over 80 million active mobile devices received a message stating: 'ESTO ES UN SIMULACRO – Este es un mensaje para probar la funcionalidad del Sistema Nacional de Alertas del Gobierno de México – ESTO ES UN SIMULACRO.' This system, which leverages cell-tower networks, is designed to deliver rapid warnings without requiring data or credit, making it accessible to a vast population, including those in rural areas.

Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness

Beyond the earthquake simulation, the drill incorporated various disaster scenarios tailored to regional vulnerabilities. States such as Campeche, Yucatán, Sonora, Quintana Roo, and Baja California Sur simulated hurricane emergencies, while Durango, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas practiced urban fire response. Coastal areas, including Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, also conducted tsunami evacuation drills. The exercise activated 14,491 loudspeakers, primarily in Mexico City, and broadcast alerts through 100 AM/FM commercial radio stations and 11 public TV stations, ensuring broad dissemination of the simulated emergency.

Reinforcing Public Safety Protocols

Authorities urged widespread participation from government bodies, businesses, schools, and individual households. Participants were instructed to follow established public safety protocols, including remaining calm, identifying and using evacuation routes, avoiding elevators, and gathering at designated safe points. Emphasis was placed on assisting vulnerable individuals, such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, and on taking actions like turning off gas, water, and electricity as they would in a real emergency. Laura Velázquez Alzúa, head of the National Coordination of Civil Protection (CNPC), highlighted the drill as a 'historic move to reinforce civil-protection culture nationwide,' positioning Mexico as the fourth country globally to implement such a comprehensive alert system.

A Legacy of Preparedness

The annual September 19 drill holds profound significance in Mexico, commemorating the devastating 1985 earthquake and the 2017 earthquake, both of which occurred on this date. This year's drill coincides with the 40th anniversary of the 1985 event, underscoring Mexico's continuous commitment to enhancing its emergency response capabilities. This marks the second national drill of 2025, following an earlier exercise on April 29. These regular simulations are crucial for testing and refining emergency plans, ensuring that both institutions and citizens are better equipped to respond effectively when real disasters strike.