A deadly train-bus collision in Mexico exposes the dangerous reality of unprotected railway crossings that continue claiming working-class lives while authorities fail to implement basic safety measures.
Story Overview
- Freight train sheared double-decker bus in half at unguarded crossing, killing 10 and injuring over 50 commuters
- Victims were primarily low-income construction and domestic workers heading to Mexico City for daily labor
- Railway crossing accidents in Mexico surged to 800 incidents last year, up from 602 in 2020
- Bus driver detained while investigation focuses on alleged attempt to overtake traffic at dangerous crossing
Fatal Collision at Unprotected Crossing
On September 8, 2025, a Canadian Pacific Kansas City freight train struck a Herradura de Plata passenger bus at an unguarded railway crossing in Atlacomulco, northwest of Mexico City. The impact occurred shortly before 7 a.m. during heavy morning traffic, splitting the double-decker bus in two and dragging portions along the tracks. Emergency responders transported victims to multiple hospitals across the State of Mexico as authorities confirmed at least 10 fatalities and between 41 to 61 injuries from the approximately 51 passengers aboard.
Working-Class Commuters Bear the Cost
The victims were predominantly domestic workers and construction laborers making their daily commute from the industrial town of Atlacomulco to Mexico City. This tragedy underscores how infrastructure failures disproportionately impact hardworking Americans and their Mexican counterparts who rely on public transportation for economic survival. The bus route serves as a vital lifeline for low-income families, connecting outlying communities to employment opportunities in the capital region.
Systemic Safety Failures Plague Mexican Railways
Mexico’s railway crossing infrastructure remains dangerously inadequate, with many intersections lacking automated gates or warning signals. Railway crossing accidents nationwide increased dramatically to 800 incidents in 2024, compared to 602 in 2020. Recent precedents include six deaths in Guanajuato in August 2025 and nine fatalities in Queretaro in 2019, both involving trains striking vehicles at unprotected crossings. Transportation safety experts have repeatedly warned about these hazardous conditions, yet meaningful infrastructure investment continues to lag.
Investigation Underway as Accountability Questions Mount
The bus driver remains in custody as the State Prosecutor’s Office investigates possible negligence, including reports that he attempted to overtake other vehicles at the crossing. Canadian Pacific Kansas City of Mexico has issued condolences and pledged cooperation with authorities, while the bus company has remained silent. Video evidence and eyewitness accounts confirm the absence of crossing gates or warning systems that could have prevented this preventable tragedy affecting hardworking families.
Video: Multiple dead after train collides with bus in Mexico | REUTERS https://t.co/6CGbinig6v #LiveTube
— LiveTube Alerts (@livetubealerts) September 9, 2025
Sources:
Train-bus collision near Mexican capital leaves 10 dead and 55 injured – Euronews
At least 10 dead, 41 injured after freight train rams bus in Mexico – Sky News
Freight Train Slams Into Bus Outside Mexico City – Fire Engineering
Freight train collides with double-decker bus in Mexico – WJLA
Workers’ daily commute to Mexico City ends in tragedy – ABC News
