Background on the Incident and Key Parties Involved
On December 28, the Interoceanic train derailed near Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, resulting in 13 fatalities and over 40 injuries. The Fiscal General de la República (FGR) has been leading the investigation in collaboration with the Oaxaca State Fiscal, state authorities, the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT), the Secretaría de Marina, and the Ferroviario Railway Regulatory Agency.
Key Parties Involved
- Fiscal General de la República (FGR): The Mexican federal agency responsible for criminal prosecutions and investigations.
- Fiscalía del Estado de Oaxaca: The state-level prosecution agency in Oaxaca.
- Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT): The federal department responsible for infrastructure development, including transportation.
- Secretaría de Marina: The Mexican Navy, which assists in investigations and disaster response.
- Agencia Reguladora del Transporte Ferroviario: The railway regulatory agency overseeing safety and compliance.
Investigation Progress and Collaboration
The FGR announced the completion of autopsies on the 13 victims as part of their ongoing pericial and ministerial investigations. They are working alongside the Oaxaca State Fiscal, state authorities, SICT, Secretaría de Marina, and the Ferroviario Railway Regulatory Agency.
Investigative efforts include document reviews and on-site work under the direction of the Federal Ministerial Police, ministerial police personnel, and criminal investigation agency experts. These teams are conducting inspections of the accident site and train units, as well as interviewing crew members while adhering to protocols and procedures. The FGR emphasized the importance of examining the “black box,” also known as the “pulser,” which records critical data during train operations.
Support for Victims and Their Families
The FGR is collaborating with the Comisión Ejecutiva de Atención a Víctimas (CEAV) to address the reparation of damages for those affected by this incident.
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo visited three hospitals in Tehuantepec and Salina Cruz to support the injured and offer condolences to families of the deceased. She announced financial aid of 30,000 pesos to each affected individual and stated that the government would cover funeral expenses for those who lost their lives.
Sheinbaum reiterated during her morning press conference on December 30 that the federal government remains committed to assisting those injured and the families of the deceased. She clarified that the 30,000 pesos support does not replace comprehensive damage reparation, which will be pursued through the train’s insurance and determined by the FGR if chosen by the affected families.
Current Status of Injured Passengers
Subsecretary Félix Arturo Medina Padilla of the Secretaría de Gobernación’s Derechos Humanos, Población y Migración department reported that 36 individuals remain hospitalized:
- 11 in IMSS hospitals, primarily in Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos
- 14 in IMSS-Bienestar units in Oaxaca
- 7 in ISSSTE hospitals, mainly in Tehuantepec and Mexico City
- 2 in Secretaría de Marina hospitals
- 1 each in the Cruz Azul Laguna and Pemex hospitals
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is investigating the train derailment? The Fiscal General de la República (FGR) is leading the investigation in collaboration with the Oaxaca State Fiscal, state authorities, the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT), the Secretaría de Marina, and the Ferroviario Railway Regulatory Agency.
- What support is being provided to the victims and their families? The federal government has announced financial aid of 30,000 pesos to each affected individual and will cover funeral expenses for those who lost their lives. The FGR is collaborating with the Comisión Ejecutiva de Atención a Víctimas (CEAV) to address reparation of damages.
- How many people are still hospitalized following the incident? As of December 30, 36 individuals remain hospitalized across various institutions.
