MENA Newswire, MEXICO CITY, December 30, 2025: At least 13 people were killed and 98 others injured after an Interoceanic train derailed in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca on Sunday, according to government authorities. The train, operated under the Interoceanic Railway of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, was carrying 250 people at the time of the accident, including nine crew members and 241 passengers. The Mexican Navy, which oversees security and emergency operations in the region, confirmed that 193 passengers were reported safe. Of the injured, 36 were receiving medical attention at regional hospitals, with five in critical condition. Rescue teams, including military personnel, firefighters, and paramedics, were dispatched to the remote crash site to assist victims and transport them to nearby medical facilities.
The derailment occurred between the towns of Chivela and Nizanda, located in Oaxaca’s Isthmus region, a corridor that has become a strategic hub for freight and passenger transportation. Authorities said operations to recover the wreckage and clear the railway line were continuing late into Sunday night. The line was temporarily suspended as emergency response and technical teams began a detailed inspection of the damaged tracks and train cars. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences to the victims and their families and said all necessary federal resources had been deployed to support the rescue efforts. In a statement posted to her official social media account, Sheinbaum said medical personnel were working around the clock to ensure that those injured received prompt and adequate care.
The Office of the Attorney General confirmed that a formal investigation had been opened to determine the cause of the derailment. Attorney General Ernestina Godoy Ramos said investigators were gathering technical data, reviewing maintenance logs, and interviewing witnesses, including train crew members and passengers. No preliminary findings have been released. Officials from the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation also arrived at the site to assist in evaluating track conditions and potential mechanical failures. Initial assessments indicated that several carriages had overturned, and significant sections of the rail line sustained visible damage. Heavy machinery and cranes were deployed to remove debris and facilitate access for investigators.
Rescue operations continue after Oaxaca train derailment
The Interoceanic Railway of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec has been undergoing upgrades as part of a broader initiative to modernize rail infrastructure in southern Mexico. The project, backed by the federal government, aims to strengthen regional connectivity between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The line serves both freight and passenger traffic and is considered vital for economic development in the region. Emergency shelters were set up near the affected area to accommodate passengers awaiting transport or treatment. Local authorities coordinated with state and federal agencies to provide food, medical supplies, and temporary lodging. Community volunteers from nearby towns also joined recovery efforts, assisting first responders in transporting victims and distributing aid.
Weather conditions in the area were reported as stable at the time of the accident, and no immediate environmental hazards were identified. Technical teams from the National Railway Agency are expected to deliver a preliminary report within days, focusing on rail integrity, train speed, and adherence to operational safety standards. Transportation Minister Jorge Nuño Lara said authorities were committed to ensuring a transparent investigation and restoring service once the line is deemed safe. He added that safety inspections would be expanded across the national rail network to prevent future incidents. The derailment represents one of Mexico’s deadliest rail accidents in recent years, prompting renewed scrutiny of safety and maintenance protocols in the country’s expanding rail infrastructure. As recovery operations continue, federal and local agencies remain on site to support victims and their families.
Victim identification and recovery efforts progress
At last report, all bodies had been recovered, and identification efforts were underway in coordination with local medical authorities. The rail line between Chivela and Nizanda remains closed pending the completion of cleanup and repair work. Officials stated that recovery teams were also documenting the exact sequence of events leading to the derailment and preserving key evidence from the site, including fragments of the rail and damaged components of the locomotive. Authorities expect full restoration of the affected section to take several days, as engineers conduct structural evaluations, replace damaged track segments, and ensure the line meets operational safety standards before reopening. Local government representatives confirmed that support for victims’ families, including financial assistance and counseling services, will continue as part of the state’s emergency response plan.