Emergency Numbers in Mexico City: 911, Locatel and Who to Call
One number, 911, handles police, fire and ambulances across Mexico. The city and federal lines worth saving in your phone, and how to make the call work in Spanish.
The emergency number in Mexico City, as in the rest of Mexico, is 911: it dispatches police, ambulances, firefighters and civil protection. The old separate codes 060, 061, 065, 066, 068 and 080 were folded into 911. For non-urgent city services, such as water leaks or a missing water delivery, call Locatel at 55 5658 1111.
Which number do you call in an emergency?
Call 911 for any situation where life, health or property is at risk. The federal government’s 911 emergency service page confirms that 911 replaced the older emergency codes nationwide, including 065, which used to ring the Red Cross, and 066, the former police line. Calls are free from mobile phones and landlines.
The operator decides which service to send, so a single call covers a heart attack, a gas leak, a fire or a robbery in progress. Stay on the line until the operator ends the call.
Which numbers should you save in your phone?
Save these before you need them. All were checked against official pages as of November 2026.
| Line | Number | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Emergencies | 911 | Police, ambulance, fire, civil protection |
| Locatel (city services) | 55 5658 1111 or *0311 | Water leaks, lack of water, water trucks (pipas), city information |
| CFE power outages | 071 | Reporting a power cut, 24 hours |
| Green Angels (Ángeles Verdes) | 078 | Breakdowns on federal highways |
| Air quality (AIREtel) | 55 5278 9931 ext. 1 | Current pollution readings and alerts |
| U.S. Embassy, Mexico City | 55 2579 2000 | Emergencies involving U.S. citizens, day or night |
Locatel also answers on WhatsApp at 55 5658 1111 and through an online chat on its 311 site. For power cuts, our guide to reading a CFE electricity bill shows where to find the service number the operator will ask for.
What do you say when you call 911?
Lead with the location, because a dropped call with an address still gets help sent. Mexico City addresses depend on the neighborhood (colonia), and many street names repeat across the city.
- Say the type of emergency: Necesito una ambulancia (I need an ambulance), hay un incendio (there is a fire), me robaron (I was robbed).
- Give the street and number, the colonia and the borough (alcaldía), for example “Calle Durango 120, colonia Roma Norte, alcaldía Cuauhtémoc”.
- Add the nearest cross streets (entre calles) and a landmark such as a park, a Metro station or a chain store.
- Describe how many people are hurt and whether they are conscious and breathing.
- Give a phone number where you can be called back, and keep the line free.
Do not count on reaching an English-speaking operator. If your Spanish is limited, ask a neighbor, doorman or shop worker to make the call, or write your address in Spanish in your phone’s notes so you can read it out.
What if the emergency involves a U.S. citizen?
Call 911 first for police or medical help, then contact the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy Mexico City contact page lists 55 2579 2000 from Mexico for after-hours emergencies, and 011 52 55 2579 2000 or 301 985 8843 from the United States, as of November 2026. The embassy is at Presa Angostura 225, colonia Irrigación, in the Miguel Hidalgo borough.
The embassy handles arrests, deaths, crime victims, child abduction and lost passports. It cannot pay hospital bills or act as your lawyer. Citizens of other countries should save their own embassy’s emergency line; most post it on their websites.
Should you go to a public or a private emergency room?
Where you go depends on your coverage, and the ambulance crew will usually ask. Your realistic options:
- IMSS: if you are enrolled through an employer or through IMSS voluntary enrollment, IMSS emergency departments (urgencias) are your covered option. Bring your IMSS number.
- City and federal public hospitals: they treat emergencies regardless of nationality. Waits for non-critical cases can be long, and some services carry fees.
- Private hospitals: faster for many cases, but expect to show insurance details or leave a card guarantee at admission. If you have a policy, call its 24-hour line on the way, since many insurers pre-authorize admission by phone. Our guide to private health insurance in Mexico explains how those policies work.
Private ambulances also operate in the city and charge for the trip. If cost matters, tell the 911 operator, who dispatches public units.
What should you keep at home and in your wallet?
A short kit saves minutes when they count. Keep a printed card in your wallet and a copy on the fridge with:
- Your full address in Spanish, with colonia, alcaldía, postal code and cross streets.
- Blood type, allergies, chronic conditions and current medications, in Spanish if possible.
- Your insurer’s emergency phone and policy number, or your IMSS number.
- A photo of your passport and resident card on your phone.
- An emergency contact in Mexico and one abroad.
Earthquakes are a separate case with their own alert system and routines. Our earthquake preparedness guide covers the seismic alarm and what to keep in a go-bag.
Bottom line
Save 911, Locatel and your embassy’s number today, and write your address the way an operator needs to hear it. If you have insurance, add its 24-hour line and find out which hospital it prefers near your home. This article explains public services and is not medical advice; in an emergency, follow the instructions of 911 and the medical staff.
FAQ
Is 911 free from a cell phone in Mexico?
Yes. Calls to 911 cost nothing from mobile phones and landlines. If your phone has a weak signal, move outside or near a window before calling, because the operator needs to hear your address.
Does 911 in Mexico City have English-speaking operators?
You may reach someone who speaks English, but it is not guaranteed. Learn a few key phrases and keep your address written in Spanish so anyone nearby can read it to the operator.
What is Locatel used for?
Locatel is Mexico City’s service and information line. Residents use it to report water leaks and outages and to request water trucks, and it also answers questions about city services. It is not a substitute for 911 in an emergency.
Who do I call if my car breaks down on a highway?
On federal highways, the Green Angels answer at 078 and can do small repairs, bring fuel or tow a short distance, according to the U.S. Embassy. Inside the city, call your insurer’s roadside assistance line.