Death Toll Mounts in Devastating Mexican Train Derailment: 13 Dead, 98 Injured, and Five Fighting for Life
- At least 13 people have been killed and 98 injured in a horrific train derailment in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
- The Interoceanic Train, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, was carrying 250 people when it derailed near the town of Nizanda.
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has dispatched senior officials to assist the families of those killed, as authorities launch an investigation into the disaster.
In a tragic turn of events, a train derailment in the south of Mexico has left a trail of devastation, claiming the lives of at least 13 people and injuring 98 others. The disaster occurred when the Interoceanic Train, which runs along the train line connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, derailed near the town of Nizanda in the state of Oaxaca.
According to the Mexican Navy, the train was carrying 250 people, including nine crew members, when it derailed as it passed a curve near Nizanda. The incident has left five people in a critical condition, with 36 receiving medical assistance.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken to social media to express her condolences, stating that senior officials have been dispatched to the site to assist the families of those killed. “Several government agencies have reached the site of the accident to assist the injured,” she said.
Civil protection members and Mexican soldiers have been working tirelessly to rescue passengers from the wreckage. The scene has been described as “horrific,” with debris scattered everywhere and passengers trapped in the mangled carriages.
In a message on social media, Oaxaca state Governor Salomon Jara said, “We are working to provide assistance to those affected by the accident. Our priority is to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members.”
The Interoceanic Train, which was inaugurated in 2023, is part of a broader push to boost train travel in southern Mexico and develop infrastructure along the isthmus of Tehuantepec. The rail service is designed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with plans to turn the isthmus into a strategic corridor for international trade.
The Office of Mexico’s Attorney-General, Ernestina Godoy Ramos, has opened an investigation into the incident. “We will do everything in our power to determine the cause of this tragic accident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” she said.