Background on the Incident
On December 27, the Interoceanic Train derailed near Nizanda and Chivela in Oaxaca, resulting in a tragic accident. Thirteen individuals, including a minor, lost their lives, and 109 passengers sustained injuries. As of Monday morning, December 29, 44 hospitalized passengers remain under medical care in various Oaxaca healthcare facilities, while others received on-site treatment or were discharged due to improvement.
Key Details of the Derailment
- The accident occurred around midnight on the Line Z railway between Nizanda and Chivela.
- A locomotive derailed, causing four train cars to leave the tracks.
- The first car slid down a 6.5-meter embankment, the second became partially suspended, and the remaining two suffered minor damage.
- Approximately 750 passengers were aboard the train at the time of the incident.
Official Response and Investigations
The Mexican federal government, in collaboration with the Oaxaca State Attorney General’s Office, has initiated investigations to determine the cause of the derailment. The Federal Ministry of Marina, led by Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, has secured the entire chain of custody, including the electronic train recorder known as “Pulse,” which functions like a black box for railways and stores data on speed, braking, and engine operation.
Additionally, the Railway Regulatory Agency, in conjunction with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), will conduct an independent technical evaluation. Morales Ángeles emphasized that a pre-trip exploratory car had previously surveyed the track and reported normal operating conditions, making thorough analysis essential to identify what went wrong.
Support for Victims and Their Families
Felix Arturo Medina, the Undersecretary of Human Rights, Population, and Migration at the Secretariat of Government (Segob), stated that, per President Claudia Sheinbaum’s instructions, an integral support system has been established for victims and their families. A public servant will be assigned to each family to assist with paperwork and necessary procedures.
President Sheinbaum highlighted three primary objectives of the federal government:
- Providing care for victims and their relatives;
- conducting a rigorous investigation into the incident;
- ensuring the safety and security of the Interoceanic Train infrastructure before resuming operations.
Authorities have also provided a helpline, (55) 2230-2106, for families to locate loved ones who were on the train. The Commission for Attention to Victims offers direct assistance to relatives through this hotline.
