Ten people were killed and at least 61 others were injured after a freight train collided with a double-decker passenger bus in central Mexico on Monday, in one of the country’s deadliest rail-related accidents in recent years. The crash occurred in an industrial zone near the city of Atlacomulco, approximately 115 kilometers northwest of Mexico City. According to Mexican authorities, the collision took place at a level crossing on the highway between Atlacomulco and Maravatío in Michoacán state.
The bus, which was traveling with dozens of passengers on board, attempted to cross the tracks and was struck by the oncoming freight train operated by Canadian Pacific Kansas City de México. The impact sheared off a large portion of the bus’s upper deck, causing significant structural damage and throwing passengers from their seats. Emergency services responded rapidly to the scene. Local officials confirmed that the deceased included seven women and three men. Among the 61 people injured, several remain in critical condition in hospitals across the region.
The crash site was secured by local police, firefighters, and paramedics, who worked through the afternoon to extract passengers from the wreckage. The train operator stated that the crossing did not have active safety barriers or automated signals, a detail supported by video footage that emerged shortly after the incident. Surveillance and bystander videos showed the bus inching forward through traffic and stopping on the tracks before being hit at its midpoint. The front of the train plowed through the lower section of the bus, dragging part of the vehicle for several meters before coming to a stop.
Collision site lacked barriers and active warning systems
The bus involved in the crash was operated by Herradura de Plata, a private passenger transport company. Authorities have not released a statement from the company. Canadian Pacific Kansas City confirmed the train was part of its regular freight operations and reported no injuries among the train crew. The company expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said it is cooperating with the investigation led by federal and local transportation officials.
The level crossing where the accident occurred is located in a high-traffic zone used frequently by industrial vehicles and passenger buses. According to transportation officials, the area has been previously flagged for lacking adequate railway safety infrastructure. There were no crossing arms or warning lights at the time of the accident, only static signage alerting drivers to oncoming trains. Transport authorities reported that the bus was carrying over 60 passengers at the time of the collision, most of whom were headed toward destinations in Michoacán.
Crash raises concerns over transport safety in Mexico
Several survivors told local emergency responders that the impact occurred with little warning, and some passengers were ejected from the upper deck due to the force of the crash. The incident adds to a growing number of level crossing accidents in Mexico. Government statistics show that 784 such incidents were recorded in 2024, an increase from 602 in 2020. Investigators are currently examining whether the absence of active warning systems or other regulatory failures contributed to Monday’s deadly collision.
Federal authorities have launched a formal investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Preliminary reports indicate the train was operating within normal speed limits, and onboard systems appeared to be functioning properly. Officials are also reviewing traffic patterns and road signage in the area as part of their probe. The bodies of the deceased were transferred to local morgues for identification, and families of the victims have been notified. State authorities said medical and psychological support services are being provided to survivors and families affected by the accident. – By Content Syndication Services.