Background on the Incident and Key Figures Involved
On Sunday, a tragic accident occurred involving the Interoceanic Train near Nizanda, Oaxaca. According to federal authorities, at least 13 people lost their lives, and 98 others sustained injuries, with five of them in critical condition. As of the closing of this edition, 36 individuals remained hospitalized, while the rest suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The injured were treated at IMSS hospitals in Matías Romero and Salina Cruz, as well as IMSS-Bienestar units in Juchitán and Ixtepec.
Government Response and Key Personnel
President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences for the loss of human lives and directed Secretary of Navy (SEMAR) Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles and Undersecretary Arturo Medina Padilla of the Secretariat of Government (GOBERNACIÓN) to visit the affected families personally.
In addition, delegates from IMSS and IMSS-Bienestar, along with IMSS General Director Zoé Robledo Aburto, were mobilized to assist. The coordination efforts would be led by Secretary of Government Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez.
Details of the Accident
SEMAR provided further information, stating that 250 passengers were aboard the Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec train on Line Z, traveling from Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos.
During search, rescue, and transportation efforts, SEMAR deployed 360 naval personnel, 20 vehicles, four ground ambulances, three air ambulances, and a tactical drone in coordination with authorities from all levels of government.
SEMAR maintained communication with the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) and the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency to determine the accident’s causes and outline necessary actions to restore railway operations, prioritizing user safety, infrastructure, and the environment.
Initiation of Formal Investigation
Ernestina Godoy, the head of the Federal Public Ministry, announced that a formal investigation had been initiated to uncover the causes of the incident.
“Federal agents from the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Oaxaca, along with expert and police personnel, are coordinating with federal and state authorities to conduct the necessary inquiries,” Godoy explained.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Interoceanic Train? The Interoceanic Train, or Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec, connects the southern Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca to the southern Gulf of Mexico, facilitating trade and transportation.
- Who are the key figures involved in the response? President Claudia Sheinbaum, Secretary of Navy Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, Undersecretary Arturo Medina Padilla of the Secretariat of Government, delegates from IMSS and IMSS-Bienestar, and IMSS General Director Zoé Robledo Aburto are all playing crucial roles in the response and recovery efforts.
- What is the current status of the investigation? The Federal Public Ministry, led by Ernestina Godoy, has initiated a formal investigation to determine the causes of the accident. Federal and state authorities are collaborating to conduct thorough inquiries.
