13 Dead, Nearly 100 Injured As Interoceanic Corridor Train Derails In Southern Mexico

Mexico: Heartbreaking news has emerged from the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. Here a train running on the Interoceanic Rail Corridor suddenly derailed. The accident occurred near Nijanda on Sunday, where the train lost control at a turn. According to officials, at least 13 people have died in this accident, while about 98 passengers are injured. There were a total of about 250 people on board the train, including 241 passengers and 9 employees. This rail line is part of a government project to connect the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. This information has been shared by the international news agency

Panic at the scene; rescue operation continued throughout the night

As soon as information about the accident was received, police, medical teams, and the National Guard reached the spot. Despite darkness and difficult roads, the rescue team rescued the stranded passengers. About three dozen people were so badly injured that they were immediately admitted to nearby hospitals. The condition of five passengers is said to be critical. Most of the injured have suffered injuries to the head, spine, and legs. The administration has assured assistance to the families of the deceased, and relief work is still going on. All these details come in preliminary government reports.

13 people DEAD as train derails in Asunción Ixtaltepec, Mexico

The Mexican Interoceanic Train had only been running since 2023

98 people injured in accident pic.twitter.com/tzZfFZzHOG

— RT (@RT_com) December 29, 2025

Why is this railway line in discussion?

This train was running on the Interoceanic Corridor, which the Mexican government considers the backbone of economic development. The purpose of this approximately 290-kilometer-long line is to ease freight and passenger transportation so that trade in the region can increase. This project, which started in 2023, was being counted among the big economic hopes of the country, but after this accident, questions are being raised on the security arrangements. Many local organizations have demanded an investigation so that it can be clear at what level the lapse took place.

Lamentamos profundamente el accidente ferroviario ocurrido a la altura de Nizanda en el municipio de Asunción Ixtaltepec, donde viajaban 250 personas y hasta el momento 139 están fuera de peligro, 98 lesionados y 36 se encuentran en atención médica; y 13 personas perdieron la… https://t.co/SmDJSbqMVd

— Salomón Jara Cruz (@salomonj) December 29, 2025

What steps did the government take?

Mexico's Attorney General Office has started an investigation into the accident. The primary suspicion is that the accident could have happened due to a track or technical fault, but no official reason has been decided yet. The government has sought a detailed report from the Railway Department. At present the main focus is on the treatment of the injured and assistance to the affected families.