The Mexican initiative, which was called 'Yo si bailo Thriller' (Yes, I dance Thriller), was organised by the Facebook social networking site, which set up the record-breaking attempt over a period of six weeks.

Some 1,295 police officers, 535 patrol cars, an ambulance and a helicopter belonging to the Mexico City government monitored the area around the monument to ensure the safety of the participants and onlookers, police said.

When the number of dancers who had gathered for the event was announced, the public and the participants gave a huge shout of 'Yes, we did it!'