Mexico to conduct national earthquake drill on September 19

Mexico will conduct its Second National Drill (Simulacro Nacional 2026) on Saturday, September 19, at 12:00 PM central time. The exercise aims to strengthen civil protection protocols and emergency response capabilities across all 32 states.

A significant feature of this drill is the use of a national cellular alert system, which is expected to reach over 80 million mobile devices. These alerts will include sound and vibration even if phones are silenced or locked, and do not require data or credit. Additionally, thousands of public loudspeakers will be activated in high-risk seismic zones, including Mexico City, Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.

Different regions will follow specific seismic hypotheses. For example, Chiapas will simulate a 7.6 magnitude earthquake centered in Tonalá, while Sonora will simulate a 7.1 magnitude event near Mexicali. In the Yucatan Peninsula, the hypothesis involves a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Experts from UNAM emphasize that while the date holds deep emotional significance due to the 1985 and 2017 earthquakes, seismic activity is a continuous geological process and cannot be predicted. The drill, occurring on a Saturday, is designed to encourage families to practice evacuation routes and emergency plans within their homes.