Mexico City's Head of Government, Clara Brugada Molina, led the first Metropolitan Drill 2026, which for the first time coordinated efforts between Mexico City and the State of Mexico for a simulated 7.2 magnitude earthquake with epicenter in Oaxaca. The alert activated at 11:00 a.m. on loudspeakers and mobile devices, with reduced volume on phones at President Claudia Sheinbaum's request. No injuries were reported during the exercise.
On February 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., the seismic alert system activated in Mexico City and the State of Mexico as part of the year's First Metropolitan Drill. Under the hypothesis of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake with epicenter 11 kilometers from Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca, the exercise involved the Secretariat of Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection, the Heroic Firefighters Corps, and the C5.
Clara Brugada Molina oversaw the start from the C5, where she received reports from her cabinet. Security Citizen Secretary Pablo Vázquez Camacho reported that five helicopters from the Cóndores group were deployed to assess the city's 1,017 sectors and detect simulated infrastructure damage. Brigades from the Mobility Secretariat, Works and Services Secretariat, and Comprehensive Water Management Secretariat checked transportation systems, road networks, and hydraulic infrastructure.
President Claudia Sheinbaum participated from the National Palace, exiting to the central patio with workers and journalists. She recalled that 'prevention is our strength,' referencing past earthquakes like those in 1985, 2017, and 2021. On Android devices, the notification removed the 'presidential alert' label at Sheinbaum's request, while it remained on iOS. Brugada noted that the phone alert volume was lower and included a message stating it was a drill. Of the C5's 13,998 loudspeakers, 98% activated, with 212 failures.
In the central zone, rescues of people trapped in rubble were simulated, and public transport was temporarily interrupted for Civil Protection protocols. No injuries were reported. This is the first of three scheduled drills: the second on May 6 as part of the National Drill, and the third on September 19, which will fall on a Saturday for the first time.
Brugada emphasized: 'This first drill is essential to remind us that prevention saves lives. We want residents to embrace this civil protection culture.' Authorities issued recommendations: prepare family plans, identify safe zones, stay calm during an earthquake, and inspect structures afterward.
