Overview of the Incident and Government Response
The Mexican federal department, Secretaría de Gobernación (Segob), has released the list of 13 individuals, including two minors, who tragically lost their lives following the Interoceanic Train derailment in Oaxaca on December 28. The incident occurred at approximately 09:28 local time, 80 km from Salina Cruz, where the train departed. Among the 241 passengers and nine crew members on board, over 40 people sustained injuries.
Segob has established a helpline (55-2230-21-06) to assist the families of the victims. The following individuals have been identified as those who tragically lost their lives:
- Elena Solorza Cruz
- María Antonia Rosales Mendoza
- Bersain Cruz López
- María Concepción Barbosa Acevedo
- Israel Enrique Gallegos Soto
- Inés Alvarado Rojas
- Amada Rasgado Lázaro
- Patricia Medina Pérez
- Luisa Camila Serrano Moreno
- María Luisa Pasaron González
- Raúl López Cruz
- Rogelio Alonso Luna
- Honoria Medina Pérez
President Sheinbaum Visits Injured and Families of Victims
On Monday afternoon, President Claudia Sheinbaum visited the injured and families of those who tragically lost their lives in the incident. She announced that financial support would be provided to each victim.
The federal leader visited three hospitals in Tehuantepec and Salina Cruz, where around a dozen individuals remain hospitalized. She also accompanied families at a funeral home following the accident.
“Each affected person will receive 30,000 pesos to cover immediate expenses,” Sheinbaum stated. “The authorities will also cover funeral costs for those who lost their lives.” Later that evening, Sheinbaum reiterated her commitment to supporting those affected via social media.
Investigation and Background
During her regular morning press conference, Sheinbaum mentioned that the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) would investigate the incident. The authorities have already obtained the train’s black box.
“One of the locomotives derailed, causing four vagons to leave the tracks,” explained Raymundo Morales, Secretary of Marina. The first car fell 6.5 meters deep, while the second became partially suspended. The remaining two vagons suffered no severe damages, according to Morales from Oaxaca.
Morales added that the Interoceanic Train uses an exploratory truck to inspect tracks before departure. On this occasion, the truck reported that the tracks were in good condition.
The return of passenger trains in Mexico after many decades was a significant achievement under Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration. However, his government also initiated the controversial Tren Maya, which traverses Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula (southeast) and has been criticized by environmentalists for cutting through extensive rainforests. The Interoceanic Train’s primary purpose is to transport goods, serving as an alternative to the Panama Canal.
