A passenger train derailed near Nizanda in southern Mexico, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and 98 injuries. The incident occurred on the Interoceanic Train, which connects Salina Cruz on the Pacific coast with Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf Coast. The train, comprising two locomotives and four passenger cars, partially veered off the tracks, with some carriages tilting down a cliff.
Of the 98 injured individuals, five are in critical condition. Most of the injured have been taken to hospitals managed by the Mexican Social Security Institute in Matías Romero and Salina Cruz, with others receiving treatment at IMSS-Wellbeing facilities in Juchitán and Ixtepec.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo confirmed the tragic news, stating that 13 people lost their lives in the train accident, with 98 others sustaining injuries, five of which are severe. She mentioned that the injured are being cared for in various hospitals and that efforts are being coordinated by relevant authorities to support the affected families.
Rescue operations were in progress, with emergency responders assisting passengers off the derailed train. Both local and federal entities were working together to provide relief and medical aid. Governor Salomón Jara Cruz expressed deep sorrow over the incident and affirmed the state’s full cooperation with federal teams to aid affected families.
An investigation has been initiated by Mexico’s Attorney General to determine the cause of the derailment. The Interoceanic rail link, inaugurated two years ago, aims to enhance regional connectivity, improve passenger and freight transport, and establish a vital trade corridor across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, prioritizing passenger safety and delivering urgent medical attention to the injured. This tragic event highlights the necessity for stringent safety protocols along this crucial rail route through Oaxaca’s challenging terrain.
