Train Derails in Southern Mexico, Killing 13 and Injuring Dozens

Train Derails in Mexico, Killing at Least 13 People

A train carrying 250 people derailed partially near the town of Nizanda in Oaxaca, Mexico, on Sunday. According to officials, the Interoceanic Train, which links the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz, went off the rails as it passed a curve near the town.

The Mexican Navy reported that 13 people lost their lives in the accident, while 98 were injured. The train was carrying nine crew members and 241 passengers at the time of the incident. Of those on board, 139 were reported to be out of danger, while 36 of the 98 injured were still receiving medical assistance.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum directed the secretary of the navy and other senior personnel to travel to the area to assist the families of those affected. The Ministry of Interior is coordinating the response to the incident. An investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office.

Emergency units were reported to be near the site of the accident, but faced difficulty in accessing the area due to the remote location. Images circulating on social media showed one of the carriages of the train on its side and another completely separated from the train tracks.

The Interoceanic passenger train was traveling from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, when it derailed. The incident occurred approximately 5 kilometers south of Nizanda. A passenger quoted by Mexico’s La Razon newspaper stated that before the derailment, the train “was coming very fast”.

Source: Al Jazeera