In a tragic incident in central Mexico, ten individuals lost their lives, and at least 61 others sustained injuries when a freight train collided with a double-decker passenger bus. The train operator indicated that the bus was attempting to cross the tracks in front of the moving train.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City de Mexico (CP.TO), the railway company involved, extended its condolences to the families affected by this tragedy and urged drivers to adhere to road signs and stop signals at railway crossings.
The bus operator, Herradura de Plata, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Images from the scene depict significant damage to the front section of the bus’s upper deck, with first responders securing the area.
The collision occurred in an industrial zone along the highway connecting Atlacomulco, located approximately 115 km (71 miles) northwest of Mexico City, and Maravatio in nearby Michoacan state, according to local authorities.
Aerial footage captured the aftermath of the crash, showcasing the remains of the bus.
The Attorney General’s office for the State of Mexico reported that the fatalities included seven women and three men. Some injured individuals are in critical condition, while others have been discharged from the hospital, although no specific figures were provided.
Bus accidents are a common occurrence in Latin America. The latest report from the Mexican government indicated that there were 12,099 collisions on federal highways in 2023, leading to over $100 million in damages, 6,400 injuries, and nearly 1,900 deaths.
Earlier this year, over 40 people died in a separate incident in southern Mexico when a bus traveling from Cancun to Tabasco collided with a trailer truck and subsequently caught fire.
Buses serve as a primary mode of transportation in Mexico, where freight trains are prevalent, but passenger rail services remain limited. The administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum is actively pursuing plans to significantly enhance the passenger rail network, aiming to connect various regions in northern and central Mexico.
