Train-bus collision near Mexican capital leaves 10 dead and 55 injured

At least 10 people were killed and 55 injured after a freight train slammed into a double-decker bus at a crossing near Mexico City on Monday, authorities said.

The accident took place in the town of Atlacomulco, northwest of the Mexican capital.

The bus from the Herradura de Plata line, which was reportedly carrying 51 passengers, was ripped apart by the collision, after reportedly trying to overtake other vehicles at the crossing. The driver of the bus is in custody.

The injured, who were between the ages of 19 and 48 according to local media, were taken to hospitals throughout the state. Authorities have not publicly identified the victims.

A video circulating on social media showed the bus driving slowly onto the train tracks in heavy traffic when the train, which was passing at high speed, rammed into the bus at its midpoint, shearing it in half. The momentum of the train dragged the vehicle along the tracks for several metres.

There were no visible crossing gates or other stop lights, witnesses said. One man, who works at the service station near the crossing, added that the train blew its horn well ahead of the crossing.

The train line, Canadian Pacific Kansas City of Mexico, confirmed the accident and sent its condolences to the families of the victims. The Calgary, Canada-based company said its personnel were on site and cooperating with authorities.

The company urged the public to respect the signals and not to put their lives and the lives of other citizens at risk. It accused the bus driver of wanting to "overtake the train".

According to the most recent report from Mexico’s Rail Transportation Regulating Agency published in September, accidents at grade-level crossings are the most common and have noted an increase in recent years.

Last year there were 800 compared to 602 in 2020, the report said. The document did not include how many victims were involved in the accidents.

Last month, six people died when a train hit several vehicles in Guanajuato state. In 2019, nine people were killed when a freight train struck a passenger bus crossing the tracks in the central state of Queretaro.