Heroine of Iztapalapa: The sacrifice that saved her granddaughter
On the afternoon of September 10, 49-year-old Alicia Matías Teodoro's routine was shattered forever. Minutes before a gas pipeline exploded on the Puente de la Concordia bridge in Iztapalapa, she sent her family a smiling selfie with her two-year-old granddaughter, Azuleth. No one imagined that this image would be her last . Alicia worked as a van checker at the Santa Martha Acatitla public transportation station.
For four years, her granddaughter had been with her every day, as her daughter, a single mother, had to work her day as a cleaner. When the explosion shook the area, Alicia reacted without hesitation: she threw herself at the girl to protect her from the flames and the blast wave. Witnesses reported that, even with her body severely burned, she continued to hug Azuleth.
A police officer transported the girl on a motorcycle to a hospital, while Alicia was transferred to the Magdalena de las Salinas Hospital, which specializes in burns. The injuries covered 80% of her body and affected internal organs and lungs . Her condition remained critical for hours. Rumors of her death circulated prematurely, to the point that the capital's Health Department had to revise an official list.
However, on the night of September 12, the news was confirmed: Alicia couldn't survive. Her family said goodbye to her with tears and pride, highlighting her bravery. "She only wanted to protect Azuleth, and she succeeded. My niece lives on thanks to her grandmother," said her sister, Sandra Barajas.
Azuleth remains hospitalized at the Siglo XXI National Medical Center with burns over 60% of her body. Her condition is critical but stable. On social media, thousands of users have turned Alicia into a symbol of unconditional love and courage, reminding everyone that, even in the face of fire, the instinct to protect prevails over fear.
