Mexico City stages massive earthquake drill with helicopters and rescue dogs

Mexico City held a large-scale earthquake drill on Wednesday morning. The exercise began at 11:00 a.m. near the Monument to the Revolution, simulating an 8.2-magnitude quake with its epicentre in Acapulco, Guerrero. Multiple emergency teams, including rescue dogs and helicopters, took part in the operation.

The drill involved a range of emergency scenarios beyond the quake itself. Teams responded to a toxic spill, a collapsed pedestrian bridge, and a car-gas tanker collision. Rescue crews used extended-arm cranes to practise extracting people from upper floors of buildings along Avenida de la República.

Three Cóndores group helicopters performed tactical landings and aerial surveillance. On the ground, a Red Cross canine team searched through a simulated collapsed structure. Iván, a Red Cross paramedic with six years of experience, coordinated medical teams during the exercise. Sofía, an officer with the Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC), joined the drill to promote public awareness and preparedness. Elena, a local resident, later remarked that seeing the coordinated effort among authorities made her feel more secure. The Emergency Rescue and Medical Squad (ERUM) and other specialised groups also participated in the operation.

The drill tested response strategies for multiple disaster scenarios at once. Helicopters, search dogs, and medical teams worked together under simulated high-pressure conditions. Authorities aim to strengthen both professional coordination and public readiness for future emergencies.