DistantNews
Support us
🇪🇨 Ecuador /Energy & Infrastructure

Quito Metro activates earthquake protocols after Colombia tremor

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Quito's Metro system has protocols in place to handle major seismic events, classifying emergencies into three levels.
  • Following a recent earthquake in Colombia, the Metro activated its emergency procedures, including stopping trains and checking infrastructure for damage.
  • The Metro was designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 9.5, with built-in safety features like emergency exits and backup lighting.

The Metro of Quito has established a three-tiered emergency response system designed to manage seismic events and other large-scale disasters. Ramón Antonio Bedoya Londoño, manager of the Central Control Post, explained that Level 1 covers routine issues manageable by the system itself, Level 2 requires assistance from at least one emergency service, and Level 3 is reserved for major catastrophes like earthquakes, floods, or attacks, necessitating coordination among multiple agencies.

The operation classifies risks into three levels.

— Ramón Antonio Bedoya LondoñoExplaining the Metro's emergency response system.

In the event of an earthquake, the immediate protocol is to halt all trains to prevent derailment. Once the shaking subsides, personnel inspect the facilities for any damage. If damage is detected, passengers are evacuated, and a relevant authority must assess the structure's safety before service can resume. For more severe emergencies, the Metro can also cut power, activate emergency lighting, and prepare for passenger evacuation.

The recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia, which was felt in Ecuador, prompted the Metro of Quito to implement parts of its emergency plan. Trains were stopped, and the Quito's Institute of Geophysics was consulted to determine the magnitude and epicenter of the tremor felt in Ecuador. Subsequently, emergency lights in the trains and tunnels were activated. A train carrying passengers then proceeded at low speed to check for any cracks or faults along the tracks.

Maintaining a train in circulation during the movement implies a risk of derailment.

— Ramón Antonio Bedoya LondoñoDescribing the immediate action taken during an earthquake.

According to Bedoya, the Metro of Quito is engineered to withstand seismic activity up to magnitude 9.5. The tunnel construction adheres to these specifications and includes designated evacuation routes and emergency exits. The system is equipped with battery-powered emergency lights and air extractors. Bedoya noted that emergency exits are positioned every 500 meters to facilitate access for rescue teams. In the event of structural damage to the tunnel from an earthquake, the Metro must ensure safe conditions for emergency responders, including the Fire Department and the Armed Forces.

The Metro of Quito was designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 9.5.

— Ramón Antonio Bedoya LondoñoStating the structural resilience of the Metro system.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog