Train crash kills 10 in central Mexico
Freight train rams bus near Atlacomulco, injuring 60 more
A tragic collision between a freight train and a double-decker passenger bus in central Mexico has resulted in at least ten fatalities and over sixty injuries. The accident occurred near Atlacomulco, approximately 130 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, as the bus, operated by Herradura de Plata, attempted to cross a railway line and was struck by a Canadian Pacific Kansas City de México freight train.
Witnesses reported that several vehicles had stopped to wait for the train, but the bus moved forward, seemingly trying to beat the approaching train. The impact was catastrophic, with the train dragging the bus for several meters and tearing it apart. The upper deck of the bus was ripped off, and personal belongings were scattered across the crash site. Emergency crews, including Red Cross teams, rushed to the scene to rescue survivors trapped in the wreckage.
Local authorities confirmed the deaths of ten individuals, including several women, while more than sixty others were transported to nearby hospitals with serious injuries. Families gathered anxiously outside hospitals, awaiting news of their loved ones. The scene was described as chaotic, with heavy machinery brought in to cut through the twisted metal of the bus.
The railway company expressed condolences to the victims' families and urged drivers to obey railway crossing rules. The crossing where the accident occurred had only basic signage and lacked protective barriers or warning lights. Mexican officials noted a concerning rise in accidents at level crossings, with incidents increasing from over 600 in 2020 to 800 in 2024. Critics attribute this trend to poor infrastructure and insufficient safety measures.
The governor of the State of Mexico announced that investigators would look into potential negligence or inadequate road safety measures that may have contributed to the disaster. The wreckage at Atlacomulco serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by commuters in Mexico, where bus travel is common despite limited passenger rail options.
