Sirens sound across Mexico City as capital stages first earthquake drill of 2026

Описание: (18 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mexico City, Mexico - 18 February 2026
1. Pedestrians walking on a busy street in Mexico City during a quake drill, Audio of siren
2. Man sitting on a bench looking at his phone during the quake drill, audio of siren
3. Loudspeakers on a pole for earthquake drill alert, UPSOUND (Spanish) "Seismic Alert"
4. Various of people participating in a coordinated earthquake drill
5. Man checking his phone
6. Various of people walking during quake drill exercise
7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Brenda Cabrera, civil servant:
"The sound makes me feel scared. I mean, from the last time it shook. Well, from 2017, which was a strong earthquake, every time I hear that it (alarm) makes me feel something like fear. But it's also important for us to be prepared for all of this."
8. Cyclists and standing-by cars on a busy street during the earthquake drill
9. Various of people walking during quake drill
10. Various of emergency personnel directing participants drill with signs
11. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Adriana Castro, civil servant:
"(We've had) really really horrible frights. We've been trapped in buildings because we haven't been able to get down (during earthquakes), but well, everything's fine."
12. Various of people standing in the street during drill
13. A view of traffic and pedestrians at Mexico City's Angel of Independence
STORYLINE:
Sirens sounded across Mexico City on Wednesday as residents took part in a regional earthquake drill aimed at testing emergency response systems and public preparedness.

A voice in loudspeakers on a pole gave the signal for the beginning of the drill: "Seismic Alert."

"The sound makes me feel scared, every time I hear that it (alarm) makes me feel something like fear. But it's also important for us to be prepared for all of this." civil servant Brenda Cabrera said.

The exercise simulated a strong quake off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, prompting evacuations from offices, schools and apartment buildings shortly after the alert was issued.

City and federal authorities said the drill was designed to reinforce response protocols and ensure coordination among emergency services, public institutions and residents in one of the world’s most seismically active capitals.

Authorities urged residents to treat drills seriously, saying regular practice can save lives when real earthquakes strike in Mexico City.

An 8.1 magnitude quake devastated Mexico City in 1985, killing an estimated 10,000 people.

Another powerful quake in 2017 killed more than 300.

AP Video shot by: Fernanda Pesce

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