A cargo train nicknamed “La Bestia,” or “The Beast,” carrying at least 250 stowaway Honduran migrants, derailed in southern Mexico on Sunday morning, killing five people, officials said.
Luis Felipe Puente, national emergency service coordinator, said on Twitter that 35 people were injured, 16 seriously, Reuters reported.
Authorities have not released details about what caused the crash, which occurred around 3 a.m. local time (4 a.m. EDT) in the municipality of Huimanguillo, CNN reported.
Thousands of migrants hitch rides on freight trains heading north toward the United States. On “La Bestia,” they often huddle on rooftops and cram between cars, CNN said.
A photograph from the scene showed freight cars on their sides next to the tracks, Reuters reported. Officials said eight of the 12 cars overturned.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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