A collision between a freight train and a double-decker bus occurred early Monday in an industrial area near Mexico City, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 10 individuals and leaving 55 others injured. The incident took place in Atlacomulco, approximately 130 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, within an area filled with warehouses and factories.
Authorities from the state of Mexico’s civil defence agency, as reported by X, were actively working at the accident site, while the state prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation into the matter. The bus, operated by the Herradura de Plata line, was severely damaged in the collision.
Confirming the casualties, officials stated that 10 individuals lost their lives, with the injured individuals being transported to various hospitals across the state. Upon request for comment, the bus company remained unresponsive.
The involved train, part of Canadian Pacific Kansas City of Mexico, which is under the Calgary-based Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The company acknowledged the accident, with its staff present at the scene collaborating with authorities.
Although specific details on the accident’s cause were not immediately disclosed by authorities, a circulated video depicted the bus crossing the tracks during heavy traffic conditions as the train unexpectedly collided with it. Witnesses mentioned the absence of crossing gates or traffic lights at the site.
In another video capturing the aftermath, distressed passengers could be seen on the bus seeking help as the train came to a halt. Families of the victims anxiously awaited updates near the scene, with one individual expressing frustration over the preventable nature of the accident.
Statistics from Mexico’s Rail Transportation Regulating Agency highlighted an increasing trend in rail accidents at grade-level crossings, with 800 incidents reported last year compared to 602 in 2020. Tragically, previous accidents in Mexico have resulted in multiple fatalities, emphasizing the importance of railway safety measures.
