Mexico Train Derailment Leaves Thirteen Dead and Dozens Injured in Oaxaca State
Authorities in southern Mexico confirmed a tragic train derailment on Sunday that resulted in at least thirteen fatalities and scores of injuries. The incident occurred near the town of Nizanda in the state of Oaxaca as the Interoceanic Train traveled through a curve on its route. This railway line serves as a critical link between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Officials reported that the train was carrying two hundred forty-one passengers and nine crew members at the time of the accident. Local emergency teams and military personnel rushed to the site to assist survivors and recover those trapped in the wreckage.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the nation via social media to confirm the updated death toll provided by the Mexican Navy. She stated that thirteen individuals lost their lives while ninety-eight others sustained various injuries. Five of the injured passengers remain in critical condition at local hospitals in the region. The president instructed the secretary of the navy and human rights officials to travel to the scene immediately. These officials will oversee the support for affected families and ensure that medical needs are met for those hospitalized.
The Attorney General’s Office has launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the derailment. Investigators are looking into potential technical failures or issues with the track conditions in the Asuncion Ixtaltepec area. The Interoceanic Train is a central piece of a major infrastructure project designed to modernize transport across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This corridor aims to create a strategic trade route connecting the port of Salina Cruz with Coatzacoalcos. Rescue operations involved hundreds of naval personnel and multiple air ambulances to evacuate the most severely injured victims.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as rail cars left the tracks and tumbled into the surrounding terrain. Many passengers were treated for shock and minor wounds at the site before being transported to medical facilities in Matias Romero and Salina Cruz. The state governor of Oaxaca noted that multiple government agencies are working together to manage the aftermath of the crash. This accident represents one of the most significant setbacks for the newly inaugurated rail service since it began operations in late 2023. Officials have halted traffic along the line until the investigation and cleanup efforts are completed.
