At least 10 people lost their lives and 61 others were injured on Monday after a freight train slammed into a double-decker passenger bus in central Mexico.
Authorities reported that the crash occurred when the bus attempted to cross the tracks ahead of the oncoming train.
The impact happened in an industrial zone along the highway connecting Atlacomulco—about 115 kilometers northwest of Mexico City—and Maravatío in the neighboring state of Michoacán.
Dramatic images from the scene showed the front section of the bus crushed and twisted into mangled metal as emergency crews worked to secure the wreckage.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City de México, the rail operator, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and urged motorists to strictly observe traffic signals and railway crossing rules. Bus operator Herradura de Plata has yet to issue a statement.
The State of Mexico’s attorney general’s office confirmed that the victims included seven women and three men. Several of the injured remain in critical condition, while others have already been discharged from nearby hospitals.
Deadly road accidents are a persistent problem in Mexico. Government data shows that in 2023 alone, more than 12,000 crashes occurred on federal highways, resulting in nearly 1,900 deaths, over 6,400 injuries, and financial damages exceeding $100 million.
In one of the worst recent tragedies, more than 40 passengers were killed in February when a bus traveling from Cancún to Tabasco collided with a trailer truck and burst into flames.
Despite the widespread use of freight rail, buses remain the mainstay of intercity travel in Mexico, where passenger train services are scarce.
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has pledged to expand passenger rail networks across northern and central Mexico in a bid to enhance both safety and connectivity.
About the Author
