A major train disaster has struck southern Mexico, claiming the lives of at least thirteen people and injuring nearly a hundred others. The tragic derailment occurred on Sunday in Asunción Ixtaltepec, Oaxaca, involving the high-profile Interoceanic Train, a key national infrastructure project.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Official reports from the Mexican Navy state that approximately 250 passengers were on board the train at the time of the accident. The derailment prompted a massive emergency response, with hundreds of naval personnel and rescue vehicles rushing to the remote location.
Of the 98 injured passengers, 36 required urgent hospital care for serious wounds. The remaining injured individuals sustained minor injuries and received treatment directly at the site of the crash.
Official Response and Investigation Launched
In the aftermath, Attorney General Ernestina Godoy confirmed that a formal investigation has been opened to determine the precise cause of the derailment. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the nation via social media, announcing that the Secretary of the Navy and the Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary for Human Rights have been directed to travel to the site immediately. Their mission is to provide personal assistance to the victims and their grieving families.
Significance of the Interoceanic Train
The Interoceanic Train is a relatively new and vital piece of Mexico’s transportation network, managed by the Navy. It connects the country's Pacific and Gulf coasts, running a main line between Veracruz and Salina Cruz. This flagship route, which only entered service in 2023, was designed to boost economic development in southern Mexico and offer a competitive cargo alternative to the Panama Canal.
The derailment represents a significant blow to this strategic project and has plunged the nation into mourning as authorities work to understand how this tragedy unfolded.
