MEXICO CITY: At least 23 people were killed and 65 sustained injuries after a railway overpass and train collapsed onto a busy road in Mexico City, crushing cars under fallen carriages.
According to details, the authorities halted rescue efforts shortly, saying there was a risk that more train parts and debris could slam down onto the road. One official said the partially hanging train was ‘very weak’.
The accident occurred as the metro train was traveling between the stations of Olivos and Tezonco, in the south of the city. According to a survivor, there were many people standing and sitting in the carriage and when the train came down, we went flying and hit the ceiling.”
The victims were stuck inside the carriage for around 15 minutes before one passenger was able to break a window to escape, the survivor explained.
At least two train carriages precariously hung from the damaged overpass. Initial rescue efforts saw medical and fire crews trying to access the carriages. The army was also in attendance.
Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, who had traveled to the scene, said it appeared a girder had given way on the overpass but the cause was being investigated. “A crane was working to stabilise the train carriages so rescuers could resume their search for survivors,” she added.
