The tragic incident occurred at the Santa Cruz church in the Gulf coast city of Ciudad Madero, next to the port city of Tampico. Approximately 100 people were inside the church at the time of the collapse, with around 30 believed to have been trapped in the rubble. Rescue efforts were immediately initiated, and authorities brought in search dogs to aid in the search for possible survivors.

The Tamaulipas state police, alongside units of the National Guard, state civil defense office, and the Red Cross, worked tirelessly to rescue the victims. Throughout the night, rescuers probed beneath the fallen roof, determined to save as many lives as possible. Bishop Jose Armando Alvarez of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tampico expressed gratitude for the work of the rescue teams and the intervention of Divine Providence, stating that people had been pulled out alive from underneath the rubble.

The Mexican Council of Bishops issued a statement offering prayers for those affected by the tragedy but did not disclose the exact number of fatalities. The bishop's diocese posted a plea on social media, calling on individuals to donate wood to help shore up the roof as rescue teams ventured inside. The community united in prayer, hoping for the safe recovery of those still trapped.

Photos released by local media depicted a concrete and brick structure, with sections of the roof collapsed near the ground. Security camera footage from a nearby location revealed the roof's unusual gabled shape simply collapsing downward. There were no signs of an explosion or external force, indicating a structural failure. The roof, made of relatively thin poured concrete, created the possibility of air pockets for potential survivors.

Rescue efforts faced challenges as initial attempts to lift sections of the collapsed roof were abandoned due to the risk of further endangering any survivors. Instead, manual rescue operations were initiated, with rescuers using wood props or hydraulic jacks to reach those trapped beneath the slab. Specially trained dogs were also deployed to aid in the detection of survivors.

Notably, there were no reports of seismic activity from the National Seismological Service that could explain the collapse. Building collapses during earthquakes are common in Mexico, but there was no evidence of such an event occurring at the time of the incident. Ciudad Madero, located approximately 310 miles (500 kilometers) south of Brownsville, Texas, is in Tamaulipas, a state known for drug cartel violence. However, the city has experienced relatively less violence compared to other areas within the state.

Local officials confirmed that seven people lost their lives in the tragic incident, while 10 injured individuals were successfully rescued. The Tamaulipas state government expressed condolences for the lives lost and provided support to those affected by the heartbreaking event. As investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing, the community mourns the loss and hopes for a swift recovery for the injured.