Mexico train crash kills 13, nearly 100 injured
A train in Mexico traveling between the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz derailed on Sunday, December 28, killing 13 people and injuring 98 people—five of them seriously—according to a statement issued by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday.
Why It Matters
The tragic derailment comes at a peak travel period, as many people journey to visit friends and family for New Year celebrations or return home after Christmas.
What To Know
According to officials, including the secretary of the navy, on Sunday, the Interoceanic Train—linking the Mexican states of Oaxaca in the country’s southeast and Veracruz, located on the Gulf Coast—went off the rails near the town of Nizanda in Oaxaca as it traversed a curve.
The Associated Press reported that the train, which was carrying 241 passengers and nine crew members, halted train traffic along the 180-mile (290-kilometer) route that stretches from the Pacific port of Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf Coast. According to the BBC, the train had two locomotives and four passenger cars.
Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated on X that, “The Navy Secretariat informs me that, unfortunately, 13 people died in the Interoceanic Train accident,” also confirming that 98 people were injured, with five in serious condition. She also established that the injured passengers were being treated at hospitals in Matías Romero, Salina Cruz, Juchitán, and Ixtepec.
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the cause of the derailment. Media outlets reported that photos from the scene show carriages toppled and partially hanging off a cliff, while emergency responders assist passengers.
The Interoceanic Train, inaugurated in 2023 during the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and operated by the Mexican navy—which oversees the country’s railway system—is a key component of Mexico’s plan to boost economic development in the southeast through infrastructure upgrades and expanded trade capabilities.
What People Are Saying
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on X: “I have given instructions for the secretary of the navy and the undersecretary for human rights of the interior ministry to travel to the site and personally assist the families. The interior secretary will coordinate the efforts. I appreciate the support of the governor of Oaxaca and his team. We will continue to provide updates.”
Oaxaca state Governor Salomon Jara said on X: “Following the railway incident that occurred in the jurisdiction of Asunción Ixtaltepec, an emergency response operations module was immediately set up through coordinated work between the state government, the municipal government, and federal institutions, with the goal of promptly addressing the emergency and safeguarding the population’s well-being.”
What Happens Next
Authorities have launched an official investigation to determine the cause of the derailment, with a focus on mechanical, technical, and operational factors. Sheinbaum also said that “the state government reaffirms its support and assistance to the affected individuals and their families.”
