Mexico City, Mexico— A subway train derailed as it entered a central station around 8:15 a.m., its lead car jumping the tracks and slamming into a concrete barrier after brakes failed to engage.
The train was on Line 3, heading toward Centro Medico station, carrying an estimated 300 passengers during morning rush. The driver reported brake pressure loss two stops earlier, according to internal radio traffic. He tried to slow with emergency brakes but the train kept gaining speed on the slight downhill grade.
The first car left the rails 50 meters before the platform. It tilted, scraped along the tunnel wall, and stopped at an angle. Glass shattered. Passengers were thrown forward. One commuter said, "We heard grinding, then we fell, people on top of people, smoke and dust, no one knew what happened."
Metro staff and civil protection teams evacuated passengers through the tunnel. Fourteen people were taken to hospital with injuries, mostly fractures and cuts. None were reported in critical condition, but several remained for observation. The driver was injured and is being questioned.
The Mexico City Metro has suffered a series of serious incidents in recent years, including a 2021 overpass collapse that killed 26. This latest derailment reignites questions about maintenance budgets. A union rep said brake system overhauls on this fleet were overdue by six months.
The transit agency, STC Metro, said in a statement that the train had passed inspection last week and that the brake failure was unexpected. It said a technical committee will examine the pneumatic system and the train's black box.
Mayor's office ordered a full review of Line 3 rolling stock. Service on the central segment was suspended for the day. Buses were deployed to move stranded commuters, but crowds overwhelmed stops. Many workers arrived hours late.
Prosecutors have opened a negligence file. Investigators secured the derailed cars and the track section for examination. The track showed fresh gouge marks.
The station is expected to remain closed through the night as crews work to rerailed the car and inspect the rail bed. Officials said service will resume only after a safety certification
Published by Banx Network. This article is part of the Banx decentralized media programme, powered by the BXE token on the XRP Ledger.
