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At least 13 killed as train derails in Oaxaca
A passenger train derailed near Nizanda in southeastern Mexico on Monday, killing 13 people and injuring 98, the Mexican navy reported. The accident occurred as the train navigated a bend, causing carriages to plunge off the tracks and partially tilt over a cliff.
Casualties and response
Of the 98 injured, 36 were hospitalized, with five in critical condition, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum. She confirmed that senior officials, including the navy secretary, were en route to the crash site to oversee rescue efforts.
The train was carrying 241 passengers and nine crew members when it derailed. Mexico's Attorney General has launched an investigation into the incident.
Rescue operations underway
Images from the scene showed emergency workers assisting passengers as they disembarked from the derailed train. The navy, which operates Mexico's railway network, stated the Interoceanic train consisted of two locomotives and four passenger cars.
Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz expressed condolences in a statement, confirming state authorities were collaborating with federal agencies to support victims and their families.
Background on the Interoceanic rail link
The Interoceanic train connects the Pacific port of Salina Cruz with Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf Coast. Inaugurated two years ago under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the project aims to revitalize the region's economy by modernizing transport infrastructure across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
The initiative includes expanding ports, railways, and industrial zones to create a strategic trade corridor. The service is part of a broader effort to boost passenger and freight rail in southern Mexico, fostering economic growth in historically underserved areas.
Safety concerns raised
This derailment highlights ongoing questions about rail safety in Mexico, where infrastructure projects have accelerated in recent years. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the accident, but the investigation is expected to focus on track conditions and operational protocols.
