Ten Killed, 61 Injured as Train Collides with Double-Decker Bus in Mexico

A double-decker passenger bus was hit by a freight train in Mexico, killing 10 people. Photo: AP PHOTO

Atlacomulco, Mexico – September 8, 2025 - A tragic collision between a freight train and a double-decker passenger bus in central Mexico claimed the lives of 10 people and injured at least 61 others on Monday morning, authorities reported.The accident occurred in an industrial zone on the highway connecting Atlacomulco—a town about 115 kilometers (71 miles) northwest of Mexico City—and Maravatio in neighboring Michoacán state.

According to the State of Mexico's attorney general's office, the victims included seven women and three men, with some of the injured in severe condition and others released from hospitals shortly after treatment.The train operator, Canadian Pacific Kansas City de Mexico, stated that the bus attempted to pass in front of the moving freight train at a railroad crossing, leading to the devastating impact.The company expressed condolences to the victims' families and urged drivers to respect road signs and stop orders at crossings.

Drone footage and images from the scene depicted the front of the bus's top deck severely smashed, with the metal frame badly dented and debris scattered across the tracks.First responders quickly cordoned off the area and transported the injured to nearby hospitals throughout the state.The State of Mexico's Civil Protection Agency confirmed the initial casualty figures, highlighting the rapid response from emergency services.

This incident underscores the rising concerns over vehicle-train collisions in Mexico, particularly as the government under President Claudia Sheinbaum invests heavily in expanding the nation's railroad infrastructure. Sheinbaum, who assumed office last fall, has pledged $8 billion for railway projects, aiming to construct nearly 1,800 miles of new passenger lines—double the amount built by her predecessor—over her six-year term. While freight trains are commonplace, passenger rail remains limited, and buses serve as a primary mode of transport across the country.

The National Transportation Chamber reported 35 injuries and three deaths from train-vehicle collisions in the first three months of 2025 alone, signaling an uptick in such accidents amid the rail revival efforts. Broader road safety issues plague Mexico's highways; the government's latest data from 2023 documented 12,099 crashes, causing over $100 million in damage, 6,400 injuries, and nearly 1,900 fatalities.Just this February, a fiery bus crash in southern Mexico killed more than 40 people when a vehicle en route from Cancún to Tabasco struck a trailer truck.

Deadly bus incidents are unfortunately common in Latin America, often exacerbated by overcrowded roads, poor maintenance, and risky maneuvers. Investigators from the State of Mexico's attorney general's office are probing the exact circumstances of the crash, including whether barriers or signals at the crossing were adequate.Representatives from the bus company were not immediately available for comment on the incident.

President Sheinbaum's administration has emphasized safety in its rail expansion plans, but this tragedy has renewed calls from transportation advocates for enhanced crossing protections and driver education programs.

Families of the victims and local officials are mourning the loss, with community leaders in Atlacomulco vowing support for those affected.