Tragedy in Oaxaca: 13 Dead, 98 Injured as Interoceanic Train Derails in Southern Mexico
By Lions Roar News World Desk
OAXACA, MEXICO (December 29, 2025) – A devastating train derailment in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca has left at least 13 people dead and 98 others injured, including several in critical condition. The disaster involved the newly inaugurated Interoceanic Train, a flagship infrastructure project designed to connect Mexico’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
The accident occurred on Sunday, December 28, near the town of Nizanda in the municipality of Asunción Ixtaltepec. The train was carrying 250 people—241 passengers and nine crew members—when it reportedly left the tracks while navigating a curve.
🚁 Emergency Response and Casualties
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the casualties via social media, expressing deep condolences to the families affected.
The Toll:
- Fatalities: 13 confirmed deaths.
- Injuries: 98 people injured, with five in critical condition.
- Rescue Efforts: The Mexican Navy, which oversees the rail line, deployed over 360 personnel, 20 vehicles, and three air ambulances to the remote site.
- Hospitalization: 36 of the injured required immediate hospital care and were transported to facilities in Matías Romero, Salina Cruz, and Juchitán.
Reports indicate that some passengers fell down a 22-foot slope following the derailment, complicating rescue efforts in the rugged terrain.
🔍 Investigation Into the “Tehuantepec Corridor”
The Interoceanic Train is a central part of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a project aimed at creating a trade route to rival the Panama Canal. The passenger service was only inaugurated in late 2023.
Mexico’s Attorney General, Ernestina Godoy Ramos, has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the crash. Investigators are looking into several factors:
- Track Conditions: Whether the rails were properly maintained in the humid, tropical environment.
- Speed: Whether the train was exceeding safety limits while passing the curve near Nizanda.
- Technical Failure: Potential mechanical issues with the rolling stock.
🕯️ Global Solidarity and Local Support
The Governor of Oaxaca, Salomon Jara Cruz, stated that state authorities are working in lockstep with federal agencies to provide aid. For the international community, including many who follow global infrastructure developments, this tragedy raises questions about the rapid expansion of passenger rail in the region.
“Our priority is the victims. We have dispatched senior officials to the site to personally attend to the families and ensure no one is left without support during this dark time,” President Sheinbaum stated.
