At a Glance
- 13 people died, including a teenager, when the Interoceanic Train derailed near Oaxaca.
- Nearly 110 passengers were injured.
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vows investigation while insisting the rail line had been operating correctly.
- Why it matters: Families and officials demand answers as the tragedy highlights safety concerns on a new rail line inaugurated in 2023.
A deadly derailment on the Interoceanic Train near Oaxaca on Sunday left 13 dead and almost 110 injured, sparking an urgent investigation by President Claudia Sheinbaum. The crash, which occurred on a curve close to a town, sent cars tumbling off a steep hill into dense jungle.
The Crash
The Interoceanic Train, a 250-passenger service linking Oaxaca and Veracruz, went off the rails as it approached a curve near a town in Oaxaca. The incident occurred on Sunday, killing 13 people, including a teenager, and injuring nearly 110 passengers.
- 13 fatalities, including a teenager
- 110 injuries
- 250 passengers on board
Video footage shows cars falling off a steep hill into jungle, with other cars toppled on their side.
Official Response
President Claudia Sheinbaum said she was heading to the region and that the train and infrastructure had been working correctly. She emphasized that the first priority was caring for victims and that the second priority was a rigorous investigation.
Claudia Sheinbaum said:
> “Our first priority is taking care of the victims. The second is rigorously investigate what caused this accident.”
Claudia Sheinbaum added:
> “We shouldn’t speculate, but let the prosecutors do their job.”
Families in Grief
Hector Serrano Garcia‘s 15-year-old daughter Luisa was killed in the crash. Serrano Garcia learned of the death on Monday and said families had received very little information.
Carmen García said:
> “We haven’t been able to find her anywhere. Please, everyone, touch your hearts, it’s my granddaughter.”
Baldo Enríquez Antonio said:
> “The train was going very fast on the curves.”
The wife, Ana Guadalupe Fabre, broke several ribs, and their 16-year-old son sustained a leg injury and a forehead cut. Despite his injuries, the son pulled his mother from the toppled car.
Key Takeaways
- 13 people died, including a teenager.
- Nearly 110 passengers were injured.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum vows a thorough investigation.
The tragedy underscores the need for thorough safety reviews on Mexico’s expanding rail network.
