NAUCALPAN, State of Mexico – At least six people have died and three others have been injured after a devastating landslide swept through La Raquelito, a poor neighborhood in Naucalpan, following heavy rains late Monday night, September 16. The landslide, which occurred around 9:00 p.m., resulted in the collapse of a hillside, taking with it a private home and the Emiliano Zapata Elementary School, according to local authorities.
The six victims, believed to be from the same family, were living in a makeshift shack constructed from cardboard and sheet metal on the vulnerable mountainside. Civil Protection teams have confirmed that the victims, four men and two women, have yet to be officially identified. All six were unable to escape when the landslide, composed of mud, water, and rocks, descended on their fragile dwelling, burying them beneath the debris.
Local residents were the first responders, using flashlights to comb through the wreckage in an attempt to rescue the trapped family. Despite their efforts, they were only able to recover the bodies of the six deceased individuals. However, three survivors were pulled from the rubble and immediately transported to Naucalpan General Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical care.
Rescue operations are still underway as emergency teams work tirelessly to restore order in the area. “Support continues for the residents of the La Raquelito neighborhood, following the hill’s collapse due to the heavy rains recorded on Monday night,” the State of Mexico government said in an official statement.
Despite the severity of the situation, State Governor Delfina Gómez, a member of the Morena party, has not yet made a public comment. Nonetheless, her administration has assured that she has “instructed immediate attention in the area, as well as the deployment of labor and machinery to support the affected families.”
Landslide Risk During Rainy Season
Landslides are common in the State of Mexico, particularly during the rainy season, when heavy downpours erode hillsides, increasing the risk of mudslides and rockfalls. While landslides are a natural phenomenon, the lack of urban planning and structural integrity in vulnerable areas turns them into lethal events. Experts have consistently highlighted the risks posed by informal housing developments, which are prevalent in poor communities like La Raquelito.
In a previous report by EL PAÍS, disaster experts emphasized that natural phenomena like landslides or earthquakes are not inherently deadly. Rather, it is the poor construction and location of homes that increase the risk of fatalities. “Earthquakes do not kill. What kills are buildings that collapse due to their poor quality, because they are poorly built or located in an area not suitable for construction,” explained Vicente Andrés Sandoval Henríquez, a researcher at the Disaster Research Unit of the Free University of Berlin.
In Naucalpan, these conditions of vulnerability are all too common. The high levels of informality in construction, combined with entire neighborhoods built on unstable hillsides, and a lack of professional urban planning, result in recurring tragedies. The homes in La Raquelito, like many in the region, are constructed by their own inhabitants using recycled materials, making them extremely vulnerable to natural disasters.
Other Affected Areas in the State of Mexico
The landslide in Naucalpan is not an isolated incident. Heavy rains across the State of Mexico have wreaked havoc in several communities, underscoring the ongoing challenges that vulnerable populations face during the rainy season.
In Ecatepec, another densely populated municipality, the relentless downpours have left streets flooded with mud, cars buried under debris, and homes blocked off by landslides. Over 80 homes have been affected, prompting the deployment of the Army, Civil Protection teams, and local volunteers, armed with shovels, to assist in the cleanup effort.
Meanwhile, in Jilotzingo, a similar tragedy struck on September 13, when a landslide claimed the lives of nine people. In Chalco, residents have endured weeks of flooding caused by overflowing sewage systems, leaving homes submerged in foul, black water.
Addressing the Underlying Causes
While the immediate focus is on rescue and recovery, the recurring nature of these disasters raises deeper questions about how the State of Mexico can prevent future tragedies. Many experts point to the need for more comprehensive urban planning, stricter building regulations, and better risk management in informal settlements.
“The underlying issue is that these areas are not suitable for housing, but people have no choice because of the economic conditions they face,” noted one local official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We need a concerted effort from local and state governments to address these issues, but it’s difficult when resources are so limited.”
Despite the ongoing challenges, civil society organizations and government agencies alike are working to provide relief and support to the affected families. However, the long-term solution will require more than temporary aid. It will demand a strategic approach to urban development, poverty alleviation, and disaster prevention.
