Mexico Train Derailment Kills 13, Injures Nearly 100 in Oaxaca
At least 13 people lost their lives and nearly 100 others suffered injuries after a passenger train derailed in Mexico’s south-western Oaxaca state on Sunday, triggering a major rescue operation. Mexican naval authorities confirmed the casualties and said emergency teams rushed to the scene within hours of the crash.
The train was travelling along the Interoceanic rail corridor, a key route linking the Gulf of Mexico with the Pacific Ocean, when it derailed near the town of Nizanda while rounding a sharp bend.
Train Carrying Over 250 People Derails Near Nizanda
According to the Mexican Navy, the train carried 241 passengers and nine crew members at the time of the accident. Officials reported that 98 people were injured, with 36 currently undergoing treatment in hospitals across the region.
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President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that five of the injured remain in serious condition. She said senior officials, including the Secretary of the Navy, were travelling to Oaxaca to oversee rescue efforts and coordinate medical response.
Authorities evacuated passengers from the damaged carriages while medical teams treated the injured at the site before transferring them to nearby hospitals.
Dramatic Rescue Efforts Caught on Camera
Images from the crash site showed rescue workers helping shaken passengers climb out of derailed coaches that had slipped off the tracks and tilted toward a cliff. Emergency personnel used ropes and ladders to stabilise the situation as darkness approached.
The train consisted of two locomotives and four passenger cars, officials said. Mexico’s navy operates the country’s railway network, including the Interoceanic line.
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office confirmed that it has launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the derailment, including possible track conditions, speed, or mechanical issues.
Oaxaca Governor Expresses Regret, Pledges Support
Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz expressed “deep regret” over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of the victims. In a public statement, he said state authorities were working closely with federal agencies to provide medical aid, shelter, and logistical support to those affected.
Local officials have also set up assistance centres to help families locate loved ones and receive updates on their condition.
Interoceanic Rail Project Holds Strategic Importance
The Interoceanic train service was inaugurated two years ago as part of a major infrastructure push under former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The project aims to modernise rail connectivity across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and position the region as a strategic trade corridor.
The government designed the rail link to boost economic growth by expanding ports, improving freight movement, and attracting industrial investment in southern Mexico.
The derailment now raises concerns over safety standards and infrastructure readiness as Mexico accelerates plans to expand passenger and freight rail networks nationwide.
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