In brief
A train derailed in the Nizanda area of Oaxaca, Mexico, leading to 13 confirmed deaths and nearly 100 injuries, including serious conditions among some passengers. The incident is under investigation, and top government officials are visiting the site. The train was part of a rail link intended to enhance economic development in the region.
A train derailment in Oaxaca, Mexico, has claimed the lives of at least 13 individuals and left nearly 100 others injured, as confirmed by the Mexican navy. The train was traveling between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, carrying 241 passengers and nine crew members when it went off the rails near the town of Nizanda.
According to reports, 98 people sustained injuries, with 36 requiring hospitalization for treatment. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated that five of the injured individuals are in critical condition.
Rescue operations were conducted at the accident site, where images revealed emergency workers assisting passengers from the partially overturned train, which was reported to have tipped near the edge of a cliff.
The Interoceanic train, a key component of Mexico's strategy to improve rail transport and stimulate economic activity within the region, consists of two locomotives and four passenger coaches. Mexico's navy has been tasked with managing the country's rail network.
In light of the incident, the Attorney General has launched an investigation, while officials, including the Secretary of the Navy, are dispatched to the crash site to oversee operations.
Oaxaca's Governor Salomón Jara Cruz expressed his sorrow over the accident, noting that local and federal authorities are collaborating to provide support for those affected. This train link, inaugurated two years ago by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was designed to modernize infrastructure across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and facilitate economic growth through enhanced transportation capabilities.
The event underscores ongoing efforts to bolster passenger and freight railway services in southern Mexico, aiming to develop a strategic trade corridor through improved regional connectivity.
