Immediate Financial Aid and Ongoing Support for Injured Passengers
The Mexican federal government has pledged an immediate financial aid of 30,000 pesos to the families of those injured in the recent derailment of the Interoceanic train line. This support aims to cover urgent expenses, including transportation and comprehensive care for the victims. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced this aid during her visit to hospitals in the Tehuantepec Isthmus region, where she assessed the medical attention for the injured.
Sheinbaum clarified that this financial assistance is intended for immediate needs, while the Commission for Victim Attention (CEAV), federal servers, and state authorities will continue to monitor each case closely. The Mexican president also visited hospitals in the region, including the ISSSTE Clinic in Tehuantepec, the IMSS Bienestar Hospital in Salina Cruz, and the IMSS Zone 2 General Hospital.
Business Coordinating Council (CCE) Expresses Concern and Support
The Business Coordinating Council (CCE), led by José Medina Mora, expressed its sorrow over the derailment and extended its solidarity to the victims’ families and those injured. The CCE emphasized the significance of prioritizing the victims’ care and hoped that investigating the accident’s causes would strengthen safety, infrastructure, and trust in the south-eastern development projects.
Derailment Details and Investigation
According to the Navy’s report, the accident occurred at 09:28 on Sunday when one of the Interoceanic train’s locomotives derailed along the Salina Cruz-Coatzacoalcos route, causing four carriages to leave the tracks. The first carriage slid down a 6.5-meter incline, while the second became partially suspended. The remaining two carriages sustained minor damage.
Out of the 250 passengers on board, nine received initial care at the scene, 109 were hospitalized, and 44 required immediate hospitalization. Raymundo Pedro Morales, the Navy Secretary, explained that a dual-purpose vehicle called a Hi Rail or exploratory truck is used for such projects. This vehicle checks the route approximately one and a half hours before the train’s departure to ensure there are no structural issues, deformities, or obstacles on the tracks. In this case, the exploratory truck reported that the tracks were in good operational condition for the train’s journey.
During a press conference, the Navy chief confirmed that the train has two insurance policies: one for passengers covering responsibilities like death, injury, and funeral expenses; the other for ferroviarium equipment and track infrastructure.
Fiscal General de la Republica (FGR) Investigation
The Fiscal General de la Republica (FGR) has maintained a secure chain of custody over the accident site and the train’s electronic registrar, known as Pulse, akin to a “black box” that stores crucial data such as speed, braking, and engine operation. Specialists in criminalistics, engineering, land transportation, forensic medicine, and industrial safety are conducting technical assessments to determine the derailment’s causes.
Additionally, the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), will perform an independent technical evaluation.
Current Status of Victims
As of the edition’s closure, the death toll remained at 13, with all bodies recovered by the Navy (Semar). The Secretariat of Governance updated the list of those still receiving medical attention to 36, ranging in age from 3 to 73 years.
Key Questions and Answers
- What financial support has the Mexican government offered to victims? The federal government has pledged an immediate financial aid of 30,000 pesos to the families of those injured in the derailment, covering urgent expenses like transportation and comprehensive care.
- Who visited hospitals in the Tehuantepec Isthmus region? Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum visited hospitals in the region to assess medical attention for the injured passengers.
- What is the current status of the investigation into the derailment? The Fiscal General de la Republica (FGR) is conducting a thorough investigation, including technical assessments by specialists in various fields. The Railway Transport Regulatory Agency, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), will also perform an independent technical evaluation.
- How many people have been confirmed dead, and how many are still receiving medical attention? As of the edition’s closure, 13 people have been confirmed dead, and 36 individuals are still receiving medical attention.
