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Witness History: Los Topos - Mexico's Earthquake Rescuers

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Los Topos - Mexico's Earthquake Rescuers

17/09/2014 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Los Topos - Mexico's Earthquake Rescuers

How an earthquake in Mexico City in 1985 led to the creation of an elite rescue group

How a huge earthquake in Mexico City in 1985 led to the creation of an elite rescue group, known as 'The Moles'.

In 1985, an earthquake devastated the centre of Mexico City, killing at least 10,000. With the emergency services struggling to cope, a small group of Mexicans began to dig out survivors themselves. Nicknamed Los Topos, or 'The Moles', they are now an elite rescue group who travel the world freeing people trapped in rubble. Witness talks to Eduardo Acevedo, one of the first members of Los Topos.

(Photo: Eduardo Acevedo, left, on a mission with Los Topos. Credit: Associated Press).

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