Thursday, September 18, 2008

Today’s Video: Mexico’s quake, 23 years later

This Friday will be the 23rd anniversary of one of the deadliest earthquakes that has ever hit the Americas.

On September 19, 1985 at 7:18am a tremor measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale shook Mexico City to its core. Though it lasted less than a minute, the quake destroyed over 400 buildings and left tens of thousands injured and homeless. The death toll varies between 4200 and 40,000 as a massive aftershock the following day severely hampered makeshift rescue operations.

The following video is the first part of a 1999 documentary chronicling the quake and its aftermath. Events around Mexico City will be held on Friday to commemorate those who died and will include a massive earthquake drill.

(Video link):


Sources (English)- BBC News, History Channel, Wikipedia, imdb.com
Sources (Spanish)- Milenio, Excelsior

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