An investigation conducted by an anti-graft group has determined that corruption caused the collapse of more than 40 buildings in Mexico City during the September 19, 2017 earthquake.

The probe completed by Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad (MCCI, or Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity) called Why did my building fall? concluded that the collapses could be traced back to the negligence of city government authorities whose conduct was founded in corruption.

MCCI investigative journalism director Salvador Camarena outlined the nature of the negligence and corruption at the presentation of the investigation results.

“. . . For years, authorities of the government of the Federal District, later Mexico City, ignored residents who reported buildings that violated land use laws, buildings that went up without permits or buildings that had damage from the 1985 earthquake but were rebuilt to be sold off as apartments or new properties,” he said.

The probe also said that 228 people lost their lives in properties built with low-quality materials or in new buildings that were built on old foundations.

Camarena lamented that no officials who “defrauded the trust of citizens from a public position” had been held accountable in a court for their actions.

He also criticized the fact that it is not possible to easily access information about a building’s history including the construction method used.

“Every one of you is standing in a black hole of disinformation with respect to the safety of the building you live and work in . . .” Camarena said.

Source: Milenio (sp)