Mexico City Earthquake September 1985

Translation

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

The Institution “INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY ACTION” based in the cities of London and Paris is sending some people to assist the victims of earthquakes that occurred in Mexico City in September 1985.

Below we give the names of this group:

– Harry Leefe
– Michael White
– Jeffrey Milne
– Dominique Serbois
– Gaston Jeanbois
– Jean Chantal

The people, who are mostly doctors and fire-fighters, are moving to Mexico with a team, both for medical work and for rescue work, and therefore, we urge the authorities to give them the necessary help to aid the best discharge of their work.

Mexico City September 1985

A magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck Mexico City on the early morning of 19 September 1985 at around 7:19 am (CST) – causing the deaths of at least 10,000 people and serious damage to the Greater Mexico City Area. The magnitude 8.1 earthquake lasted a full two minutes. It was followed by a 7.5 earthquake 36 hours later.

Mexico City Earthquake 19 September 1985

The epicentre of the earthquake was at the border between the states of Michoacán and Guerrero more than 300 kilometres away, yet Mexico City suffered the most damage.

The earthquake which lasted for about three to four minutes made buildings of 6-15 stories in height fall apart in an instant.

• Electricity lines were destroyed for days as well as communications.
• The Central Communications Centre building collapsed isolating Mexico City from the immediate help and assistance of neighbouring countries.
• Water and the sewage systems were seriously damaged, thus, contaminating the water supply in the city.
• About a hundred thousand housing units were destroyed as well as government buildings, schools and other infrastructure.
• Three of the largest hospitals in the city collapsed burying some 1,200 people alive. The loss of hospitals crippled the city’s ability to help injured victims.

An aftershock of 7.5 magnitude was felt 36 hours later causing widespread panic.

The earthquake was felt as far north as Houston, Texas, 745 miles (1,200 km) away, and in Guatemala City 621 miles (1,000 km) to the south.

The rescue operation continued to find survivors up to a week later. Among the most remarkable rescues was that of 58 newborn babies, pulled alive from the wreckage of a maternity ward three days after the earthquake struck.

Mexico City September 1985

More than 10,000 people were killed, 30,000 were injured, and large parts of the city were destroyed.