A devastating train derailment in southern Mexico has resulted in at least thirteen fatalities and left nearly a hundred people injured, severely disrupting a vital rail corridor connecting the country's two coastlines.
Details of the Southern Mexico Derailment
The catastrophic incident occurred on Sunday, 28 December 2025, as the Interoceanic Train was navigating a curve close to the town of Nizanda in Oaxaca state. The train, which links the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz, was carrying 241 passengers and nine crew members at the time it left the tracks.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the grim toll on social media platform X. "The Mexican Navy has informed me that, tragically, 13 people died in the Interoceanic Train accident," she stated. The president further revealed that 98 individuals sustained injuries, with five of those reported to be in a serious condition.
Emergency Response and Strategic Importance
In response to the disaster, President Sheinbaum directed the secretary of the navy and the undersecretary of human rights to travel to the site to provide direct assistance to the affected families. Oaxaca state Governor Salomon Jara also confirmed that multiple government agencies had mobilised to the scene to aid the injured and manage the aftermath.
The Interoceanic Train service is a cornerstone of a major infrastructure project. Inaugurated in 2023 by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, it is designed to boost rail travel across southern Mexico and develop the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This narrow strip of land is seen by the government as a future strategic corridor for international trade, aiming to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via ports and this very rail line. The route spans approximately 180 miles (290 kilometres) from the Pacific port of Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf of Mexico.
Ongoing Impact and Investigation
The derailment has brought all traffic along this crucial link between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico to a standstill. The focus remains on rescue operations, caring for the wounded, and supporting the families of the victims. An investigation into the cause of the derailment is expected to follow as authorities work to clear the site and understand the factors that led to this tragic loss of life on a flagship transport project.
