In a city of what 25+ million people, it has been surprising to me in the past how low the death rates were to direct hits to Mexico city.
Your thought there would seem to be a reasoned one, but the 1985 7.1 quake only resulted in 5,000 lives.
It wouldn’t have shocked me to see them in the 10s of thousands.
A major hurricane and now this earthquake....where is Shep Smith? I need me some drama!
This link gives considerable detail on the 1985 quake. There was controversy over the death figure because the president waited a day and a half before reporting much. I suspect at least 10,000 with some suggesting as much as 35K or more. See figures under map to right.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_Mexico_City_earthquake