Survivors of the earthquake that killed at least 369 people across Central Mexico held a moment of silence and an emergency drill on the natural disaster’s one-year anniversary.
Many gathered at memorials such as one where a building stood at 286 Alvaro Obregon Ave. in Mexico City, where 49 people were killed, making it the deadliest site. At least two-dozen people were rescued from the rubble of the seven-story building.
A year later since the earthquake, an investigation by the independent nonprofit Mexicans Against Corruption found many collapsed buildings were violating building code. At least so far, only a handful of people have been found responsible for the lack of enforcement.
One volunteer’s voice cracked as he called for a minute of silence. Another volunteer from last year’s rescue, Mexico City-native Monica Beckman, said she felt mixed emotions.
“Sadness for the families that lost a family member, a friend,” Beckman said. “And a little bit of anger. Government officials weren’t really organized.”
