At least 13 people were killed and 98 injured after an Interoceanic Train derailed near the town of Nizanda in Mexico’s southern state of Oaxaca, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, as the train was part of a major national infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting trade and regional development.
According to the Mexican Navy, the train was carrying approximately 250 people at the time of the derailment, including nine crew members and 241 passengers. Officials said 193 passengers were reported to be out of danger, while 98 sustained injuries. Of the injured, 36 were receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a post on X that five of the injured were in critical condition. She added that senior government officials had been dispatched to the site to coordinate emergency response efforts and provide assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.
Also Read: Delhi Metro's Original Train Returns for Nostalgic Ride on 23rd Anniversary
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has launched a formal investigation into the derailment to determine its cause. Attorney General Ernestina Godoy Ramos stated that authorities are examining technical, operational, and infrastructure-related factors that may have contributed to the incident.
The Interoceanic Train was inaugurated in 2023 under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and is a key component of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The project aims to connect the Pacific port of Salina Cruz with Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf Coast, providing a faster trade route between oceans.
The broader initiative is intended to transform the isthmus into a strategic global trade corridor, potentially rivaling the Panama Canal. Alongside expanding ports and railways, the project also seeks to stimulate economic growth in southern Mexico through industrial development. Sunday’s derailment, however, has raised urgent questions about safety standards as the country pushes forward with large-scale rail expansion.
Also Read: Four BJP Supporters Die in Train Accident En Route to PM Modi's Rally in Nadia