Tragic Train Derailment in Southern Mexico Claims Lives and Injures Many
Devastating Incident on the Interoceanic Train
Mexico City: A tragic accident occurred on Sunday when a passenger train, carrying 241 individuals along with nine crew members, derailed on a bridge close to Nizanda in southern Mexico. The incident has resulted in at least 13 fatalities and left 98 others injured, as reported by the Secretariat of the Navy via social media.
The derailment took place on the Interoceanic Train, which connects the Pacific port of Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf Coast. The train, comprising two locomotives and four passenger cars, partially fell off the tracks while navigating a curve near Nizanda in Oaxaca, causing several carriages to tilt precariously down a cliff.
Among the injured, five individuals are reported to be in critical condition. Most of the injured have been admitted to hospitals operated by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Matías Romero and Salina Cruz, while others received treatment at IMSS-Wellbeing facilities in Juchitán and Ixtepec.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo shared on X, stating, “The Secretariat of the Navy has informed me that in the Interoceanic Train accident, unfortunately, 13 people died; 98 are injured, five of them seriously. The injured are in IMSS hospitals in Matías Romero and Salina Cruz, as well as in IMSS-Wellbeing hospitals in Juchitán and Ixtepec.”
She further mentioned, “I have instructed the Secretary of the Navy and the Deputy Secretary of Human Rights of the Secretariat of the Interior to visit the site and personally assist the families; also, the delegates of IMSS and IMSS-Wellbeing. The Secretary of the Interior will oversee the efforts. I appreciate the support of the Governor of Oaxaca and his team. We will continue to provide updates.”
Rescue teams were observed assisting passengers in evacuating the derailed train, while local and federal authorities coordinated relief efforts and medical aid. Governor Salomón Jara Cruz expressed his profound sorrow regarding the incident and assured that state officials were fully cooperating with federal teams to support the affected families.
An investigation into the cause of the derailment has been initiated by Mexico’s Attorney General. The Interoceanic rail link, which was inaugurated two years ago under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, aimed to enhance regional connectivity, improve passenger and freight transport, and establish a strategic trade corridor across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, prioritizing passenger safety and providing immediate medical assistance to the injured. This accident highlights the urgent need for stringent safety protocols on this crucial rail route through the challenging terrain of Oaxaca.