Tree collapse and construction disputes in Coyoacán

In the Coyoacán borough of Mexico City, an 18 to 20 meter tall tree collapsed onto a kindergarten garden roof in the Parque San Andrés neighborhood on November 5. The incident caused material damage to an adjacent private property, though no injuries were reported.

Local residents blocked División del Norte avenue to protest a nearby social housing construction project managed by the Mexico City Institute of Housing (INVI), alleging the work caused the tree to fall. While the project reportedly holds necessary administrative permits, authorities noted there was no authorization for the removal or cutting of vegetation at the site.

Coyoacán authorities have suspended demolition and construction works at the location as a preventive measure. Officials from the Environmental and Territorial Planning Agency (PAOT) and the Ministry of the Environment (SEDEMA) are investigating the causes of the collapse. Although legal officials attempted to place official suspension seals on the site, members of a civil organization prevented them from doing so, leading authorities to withdraw to avoid confrontations. The project remains legally suspended.