Derailment of Mexico's Interoceanic Train in Oaxaca Leaves at Least 13 Dead and 98 Injured
On 28 December 2025, a derailment of the Interoceanic Train occurred in Nizanda, Oaxaca, resulting in at least 13 deaths and 98 injuries among approximately 250 passengers onboard.
The Interoceanic Train was constructed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, serving as an alternative cargo route to the Panama Canal and aimed at fostering regional development.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum reported 98 injured individuals, five in critical condition, and announced plans to visit Oaxaca to meet with victims and oversee an investigation.
Both the Interoceanic Train and the Maya Train projects were flagship infrastructure initiatives completed rapidly under former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) and monitored by the military, prompting safety concerns.
This derailment marks the third incident involving the Interoceanic Train in 2025, following an earlier collision with a truck at a crossing; the Maya Train has experienced two non-fatal derailments.
Opposition party PRI leader Alejandro Moreno has called for a pause and comprehensive audit of the construction and operation of these railway projects.
President Sheinbaum defended the safety measures, stating the train complied with all required safety protocols and pledged responsible construction and operation moving forward.
