A catastrophic train derailment in southern Mexico has resulted in substantial casualties, with authorities confirming at least 13 fatalities and 98 injuries. The incident occurred on Sunday when an Interoceanic Train carrying 250 people veered off the tracks near Nizanda in Oaxaca state.
According to the Mexican Navy’s official report, the train was transporting 241 passengers and 9 crew members at the time of the accident. Medical authorities have classified 139 individuals as out of immediate danger, while 36 injured passengers required urgent medical attention. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed via social media platform X that five of the injured remain in critical condition.
The Mexican government has initiated a comprehensive response, with senior officials dispatched to the accident site to coordinate rescue operations and provide support to affected families. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara Cruz expressed official condolences while emphasizing coordinated relief efforts between state and federal agencies.
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has opened a formal investigation into the causes of the derailment. Attorney General Ernestina Godoy Ramos announced the probe through official channels, indicating the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident.
The Interoceanic Train service, inaugurated in 2023 under former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, represents a cornerstone of the ambitious Interoceanic Corridor project. This strategic infrastructure initiative was designed to modernize rail transportation across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, connecting the Pacific port of Salina Cruz with Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf Coast.
The broader development project aims to transform the region into a competitive trade corridor capable of rivaling the Panama Canal through extensive modernization of ports, railways, and industrial infrastructure. The train service constitutes a critical component of Mexico’s national strategy to expand passenger and freight rail capacity while stimulating economic development in the historically underserved southern regions.