Earthquake alert activated by mistake at Cuernavaca Government Palace

A seismic warning sounded at the Government Palace in Cuernavaca at about 10:38 a.m., but authorities later confirmed that no earthquake had occurred at the time.

The Morelos State Civil Protection Coordination attributed the activation to a technical inconsistency in the alert system’s equipment. Ubaldo González Carretes, the agency’s head, said officials would question the company responsible for operating and maintaining the system so it could clarify the nature of the failure.

The alert triggered the building’s monitoring, inspection and preventive evacuation procedures. After comparing information with relevant institutions and reviewing the system’s records, authorities concluded that there was no matching seismic event.

Jorge Salazar Acosta, secretary of Administration and Finance, said about 325 public employees and members of the public inside the Government Palace left the building in two minutes and 40 seconds. No incidents were reported, and officials said the evacuation followed established protocols.

The Morelos government said it would continue following up on the technical work until the incident was clarified, while prioritizing civil protection procedures and the safety of those in the building.