The tragedy of the Green Wave: a reminder of the power of nature

In the history of our country, there are marked events that have left a lasting impact on the collective memory of its inhabitants. One of those tragic events took place 92 years ago on the coast of Colima, specifically in the towns of Cuyutlán and Manzanillo, when a series of tsunamis struck the region, unleashing a wave of destruction and tragedy known as the Green Wave. It all began on June 3, 1932, with a powerful 8.9 Richter scale earthquake whose epicenter was located in Jalisco, near Peña Colorada, on the border with Colima. This first quake devastated the town of Tomatlán in Jalisco and hit San Blas in Nayarit, marking the beginning of a month of nightmare for the region. Fifteen days later, on June 18, another strong 7.8 magnitude earthquake again shook the area, affecting Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit. This event was predicted by the priest and scientist Severo Díaz, who warned of the possibility of a new seismic movement. The impact of this second earthquake was also felt in Hawaii, where it generated a tsunami. However, the tragedy reached its peak on June 22, when a 6.9 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter off the coast of the Port of Manzanillo, triggered a devastating tsunami that swept through Cuyutlán, leaving only the Hotel Madrid standing and reaching the railroad tracks. Survivors' testimonies describe the moment when the sea suddenly receded, only to return with a gigantic wave ten meters high, destroying everything in its path. In Manzanillo, the tsunami severely affected the municipal presidency, causing cracks in its structure. The San Pedrito beach was devastated, and the San Pedrito lagoon was altered by the water invasion, leading to a change in the fishing production in the area. Small coastal towns in Jalisco also suffered the onslaught of the sea, with human and material losses that did not receive proper attention due to the sparse population in the region. The magnitude of the tragedy did not go unnoticed nationally and internationally, being reported in media around the world. Organizations such as the Japanese Red Cross and Mexican communities in the United States provided aid to the affected. Legends also emerged attributing the disaster to a supposed divine punishment for the visit of high officials to the Colima beach. The events of June 1932 left a toll of at least 475 victims between the two earthquakes and the tsunamis. The region was plunged into chaos and desolation, with hundreds of kilometers of coastline affected by the fury of the sea. The succession of catastrophes in such a short time led many inhabitants to believe that the end of the world was near. Almost a century later, the stories of those days of terror persist in the memory of those who lived through those events. The tragedy of the Green Wave continues to be remembered as a reminder of the fragility of life against the relentless force of nature, and as a call to solidarity and prevention against seismic events and tsunamis that could happen again at any moment.