A somber cloud hangs over southern Mexico following the derailment of a passenger train in Oaxaca state. At least 13 people tragically lost their lives, and nearly 100 others were injured when the Interoceanic Train veered off its tracks near the town of Nizanda. The Mexican Navy, which plays a role in the rail operation, confirmed the Monday incident.
The train was carrying approximately 250 individuals, including passengers and crew, at the time of the crash. While 193 people were quickly deemed out of danger, 98 sustained injuries, with 36 requiring hospital treatment and five in critical condition. Immediate and extensive emergency response efforts saw military personnel, medical teams, and civil protection units swiftly deployed to the remote crash site, working tirelessly to evacuate the injured and secure the area. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences and ensured that senior government officials were on-site to coordinate assistance and support affected families.
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of this devastating accident. Authorities are meticulously examining all possibilities, from technical failures within the train itself to track conditions or potential human error. Details leading up to the crash are yet to be released as the inquiry progresses.
The Interoceanic Train is a significant part of Mexico’s ambitious Interoceanic Corridor project, inaugurated just last year. This vital infrastructure initiative aims to modernize rail connections across southern Mexico, linking the Pacific port of Salina Cruz with the Gulf Coast city of Coatzacoalcos. Designed for both passenger and freight services, the corridor seeks to establish a crucial alternative trade route, even aspiring to compete with the Panama Canal. This derailment is a severe blow to a project intended to symbolize progress and connectivity for the region.
