Overloaded bus ‘split in half’ by fatal collision with freight train in Mexico

At least 16 people were killed and 30 were injured when a freight train slammed into a packed passenger bus in northeastern Mexico on Friday, authorities said, warning the death toll could rise. The collision happened when the bus was attempting to cross rail tracks in the city of Anahuac, Nuevo Leon, state civil protection chief Jorge Camacho said. The accident occurred during rush hour at the Camarones station crossing, near the border with the United States. Nine women and five men were identified among the dead, in addition to the two children, Camacho said. Local officials warned the final toll could be nearer to at least 20.

We have confirmed the death of 16 people and we believe there are more underneath the bus, so the death toll could reach 20.

State civil protection chief Jorge Camacho

The bus was travelling from Nuevo Laredo to the northern city of Nueva Rosita. Images broadcast by local media showed the bus smashed open and split in half by the force of the train. Of the 30 people injured, 22 were taken to hospitals in the nearby border town of Nuevo Laredo, around 60 kilometers away. Camacho said an investigation was underway to determine whether the bus driver was trying to beat the train when the vehicle was struck. There was no fog or rain in the area at the time, he said.