A devastating train derailment in southern Mexico has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, with 98 others injured, according to the Mexican Navy. The incident occurred on Sunday in Asunción Ixtaltepec, Oaxaca, on the Interoceanic Train’s main line between Veracruz and Salina Cruz, carrying 250 people, including 9 crew members and 241 passengers.
The navy reported that 36 people required hospital care, while the rest sustained minor injuries. Hundreds of naval personnel and rescue vehicles were dispatched to the scene, with Mexican Army soldiers and Civil Protection members rescuing passengers from the wreckage.
President Sheinbaum Sends A Massage Of Condolences
President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences, instructing the Secretary of the Navy and Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary for Human Rights to attend to the families of the victims. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the derailment, led by Mexico’s Attorney General Ernestina Godoy.
The Interoceanic Train, managed by Mexico’s Navy, links the country’s Pacific and Gulf coasts, aiming to promote economic development in southern Mexico and provide an alternative to the Panama Canal for cargo transport. The train’s main line came into service in 2023 under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Rescue efforts were hindered by the remote location of the incident, with emergency responders facing challenges in accessing the site. Images and videos circulating online showed carriages overturned, with passengers trapped inside.
Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara Cruz expressed condolences to the families of the victims, with state authorities working closely with federal agencies to manage the aftermath. Temporary shelters were set up for stranded passengers, and psychological support teams were deployed to assist survivors.
The investigation will examine possible technical failures, track conditions, operational procedures, and whether negligence played a role in the derailment. Speed and potential brake failure are being considered as key areas of inquiry.
The Interoceanic Train is a key component of the Interoceanic Corridor project, aiming to modernize rail and port infrastructure across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The project seeks to boost trade and development in southeast Mexico, providing a strategic trade route.
The Mexican government has assured transparency in determining the cause of the accident, with President Sheinbaum emphasizing support for the victims’ families. The incident has sparked a national conversation about rail safety in Mexico.
The Interoceanic Train was reportedly traveling at high speed before the accident, according to a passenger account. This has led to speculation about the potential cause of the derailment.
This is not the first incident on this route, with a previous collision between a train and a truck occurring just weeks earlier, although it did not result in fatalities.
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