Villahermosa: An infamous cargo train ridden by Central American migrants heading to the US derailed in a remote region of southern Mexico today, killing at least five and injuring at least 35, authorities said.
The toll was expected to rise. Hundreds of migrants sometimes ride the roof of the cargo train known as "The Beast," braving brutal conditions for a chance at crossing into the US.
The Red Cross said an undetermined number of people were trapped.
Tabasco state Civil Protection chief Cesar Burelo Burelo said the accident took place at 3 am today in an area surrounded by lakes and forest that is out of cell-phone range.
Burelo said eight cars had derailed and authorities didn`t yet know why.
He said dozens of migrants were on the train heading north from the Guatemala border.
The federal government said 16 of the 35 injured were gravely hurt. Fifteen of the badly injured have been moved to the nearest hospital in the state of Veracruz, which borders Tabasco.
The Red Cross said dozens of soldiers, marines and civilian emergency workers were trying to get access to the area, which ambulances couldn`t reach. Officials were trying to establish air or water links to the scene.
AP
