2017 Central Mexico Earthquake

Submission 3,344

Overview

2017 Central Mexico Earthquake was a 7.1-magnitude seismic event that struck central states of Puebla and Morelos, including Greater Mexico City, on the afternoon of September 19th, 2017, lasting for about 20 seconds.

Background

At 1:14 p.m. (local time) on September 19th, 2017, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck central Mexico, approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) south of the city of Puebla, which lasted for about 20 seconds before stabilizing. The seismic activity caused widespread damage and casualties in the states of Puebla, Morelos and the Greater Mexico City area, killing at least 308, most of them in Mexico City, and injuring more than 2,600. The disaster struck came on the heels of an even more catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 8.1 in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, off the southern coast of Mexico, that was observed on September 7th.

Developments

The earthquake, which coincided with the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake that killed about 10,000 people, came off the heels of an even more catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 8.1 off the southern coast of Mexico twelve days prior on September 7th.

Online Reaction

Within the hour of the earthquake, thousands of residents and journalists across Mexico City began sharing images and videos of the devastation and chaos it left behind on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets.

#FuerzaMexico

In the wake of the tragedy, many Mexicans in the affected regions and overseas, as well as those from the neighboring region, began using the hashtag #FuerzaMexico (Spanish: Strength to Mexico) to share inspirational photos and videos of rescue efforts from the epicenter, as well as their thoughts and prayers." In addition, a number of other inspirational hashtags, including #PrayForMexico, #MexicoUnido and #LoveArmyMexico, were employed to express solidarity with rescue workers.

News Media Coverage

In the ensuing hours after the earthquake, virtually all major news outlets in North and Central America began providing live coverage of the breaking news and the search-and-rescue operations that went underway in Mexico City, with many reports revolving around first-person accounts and video recordings that had gone viral on the social media.

"Frida Sofia" Story

On the night of September 20th, a news reporter for the Mexican TV channel Televisa reported that a massive search-and-rescue operation has begun for students and faculty members who may be trapped under the debris of the Enrique Rebsámen School building. The news report, which detailed a heartbreaking eyewitness account of a 12-year-old girl named "Frida Sofia" wiggling her fingers through the crack of the rubbles from below the ground, immediately captured the attention of the entire nation and became a symbol of hope and resilience for Mexicans in the wake of the disaster.

As the name began to trend on social media and the rescue effort continued at the school site, the Mexican navy officials released a statement that there is no "Frida Sofia" enrolled at Enrique Rebsámen School, effectively debunking the news report as a hoax. According to the official, a camera dispatched into the rubble of the site caught blood tracks that were likely left by an injured in movement, but no signs of any evidence that would corroborate that the girl existed.

Crowdsourced Efforts

In addition to widespread usage of select hashtags designated for coordination of voluntary efforts, a group of activists, journalists and programmers in Mexico City launched Verificado19s^[19], a digital database where people can easily organize relief efforts by sharing and verifying information about supplies and service personnels that can be provided to those in need.