In a devastating rail disaster that has gripped Mexico and sent shockwaves internationally, at least 13 people were killed and 98 others injured when a passenger train derailed in the southern state of Oaxaca on December 28, 2025. The Interoceanic Train, carrying around 250 passengers and crew on a scenic route linking the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, veered off the tracks near the remote village of Nizanda in Asunción Ixtaltepec, plunging parts of the locomotive down a steep embankment and turning a routine journey into a scene of chaos and carnage.

The accident occurred on Sunday morning along the Z Line of the Interoceanic Railway of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a vital 180-mile corridor designed to boost trade and tourism in Mexico’s underdeveloped southeast. Launched in 2023 under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the line aims to rival the Panama Canal by facilitating faster cargo and passenger transport between Salina Cruz on the Pacific and Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf. Managed by the Mexican Navy, the train was en route when the front engine suddenly derailed, causing subsequent cars to buckle and slide. Witnesses described hearing a thunderous screech followed by screams as passengers were thrown about, some trapped in the wreckage while others tumbled down the slope.

Emergency responders, including hundreds of Navy personnel, Army soldiers, and Civil Protection teams, rushed to the isolated site with rescue vehicles and helicopters. They worked tirelessly to extricate survivors, many suffering from fractures, lacerations, and internal injuries. Of the injured, 36 required immediate hospitalization, with five in critical condition fighting for their lives. President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the nation via social media, expressing condolences and deploying federal officials to assist grieving families. She emphasized that support services were on the ground, helping with identification and aid for those affected.

The Mexican Attorney General’s office has launched a full investigation into the cause, with early reports suggesting a possible mechanical failure or track issue, though no definitive conclusions have been reached. The train, a symbol of modern infrastructure in the region, had been operating smoothly since its inception, carrying both locals and tourists drawn to the area’s cultural heritage and natural beauty. This incident, however, raises urgent questions about safety protocols on newly developed lines, especially in rugged terrains prone to erosion or maintenance challenges.

Communities along the Isthmus have been deeply affected, with locals sharing heart-wrenching stories online of missing loved ones and pleas for information. Social media flooded with photos of anxious relatives at hospitals and makeshift aid centers. The derailment disrupted services, stranding travelers and highlighting vulnerabilities in Mexico’s ambitious rail expansion. As rescue operations wrapped up, 193 individuals emerged unharmed, a small miracle amid the tragedy.

This catastrophe underscores the risks of rail travel in developing regions, where economic ambitions meet harsh realities. For the victims’ families, the holiday season has turned somber, with vigils planned in Oaxaca and calls for accountability growing louder. As the probe continues—expected to examine track conditions, train maintenance, and human factors—the nation mourns, hoping lessons learned will prevent future heartbreak on the rails.