Mexico City quake hits on 32nd anniversary of more powerful temblor
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (KTRK) -- The magnitude-7.1 earthquake in Mexico City this week shook 32 years to the day after a more forceful and deadly tremor event struck the same region.
On Sept. 19, 1985, an 8.0-magnitude quake struck in the early morning, jolting the Greater Mexico City area.
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The earthquake was proven to be a widespread destroyer, causing 412 buildings to collapse and another 3,124 to sustain serious damage.
The quake was so powerful, its energy was felt as far away as Houston and Los Angeles.
Officials estimated the peak of the quake had the equivalent of about 1,114 nuclear weapons exploding.
"I...RAN OUTSIDE FRIGHTENED": Deborah Wrigley's 1985 report from Mexico
Multiple agencies gave differing death toll amounts from the quake. The death toll was estimated as low as 5,000 people and as high as 45,000. Some of the ambiguity stems from a media blackout instituted by the Mexican government in the days following the temblor.
Government officials say about 250,000 people lost their homes directly due to the quake.
In the years following the natural disaster, older buildings in the quake prone region were reinforced for future quakes. In addition, government buildings take time on every Sept. 19 to run an emergency drill.
Little did anyone know on Sept. 19, 2017 that the real thing would shake the region once more and with similarly deadly result.
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