Maya Train Derailment: Track Quality Under Scrutiny

IZAMAL, Yucatán — On August 19, at approximately 1:48 p.m., a car from the Maya Train—travelling from Cancún to Mérida—suffered a partial derailment as it slowly entered Izamal station, which marks the end of Segment 3. The incident occurred when an automated track switch unexpectedly shifted, causing the third car of the train to leave the rails and lean toward an adjacent stationary train. Fortunately, none of the 261 passengers were seriously injured, and they were safely transferred via bus to continue their journey. 

What’s Being Called a “Track Mishap”

General Óscar David Lozano Águila, director of the Maya Train, described the event not as a derailment but a “track mishap”. He noted that while the train’s engineer was instructed to enter the station, the switch design flaw triggered the shift while two cars had already passed—an anomaly he insists must be rigorously analyzed. A Commission for the Investigation of Railway Accidents, backed by the Attorney General’s Office, has been activated and is conducting a forensic review. Technical input will come from suppliers like Voestalpine and Alstom, and officials expect findings within two weeks. Consideration is being given to installing mechanical locking mechanisms to prevent recurrences.

This is not the first incident in this corridor. On March 2024, a similar low-speed derailment happened at Tixkokob station, just minutes before Izamal. That mishap was traced to a poorly fastened manual switch. 

Safety Concerns Amplify Ongoing Debates

The Maya Train—a 1,554 km inter-city rail looping through the Yucatán Peninsula—has faced mounting scrutiny since its launch in late 2023. Despite lofty ambitions to connect resort hubs with archaeological sites, ridership remains low, and the project has attracted criticism over environmental damage, rushed construction, and frequent mishaps. Reports indicate at least 45 incidents as of August 2025, and a political opposition party has called for a temporary suspension of operations.  Environmental groups also warn that train construction has harmed fragile cave systems that supply drinking water across the region. 

What Comes Next?

• Passenger service resumed on unaffected segments shortly after the incident, but investigators continue to review root causes and safety gaps.

• Authorities are expected to compare design flaws, maintenance logs, and supplier adherence, particularly concerning implementation of mechanical safety locks on switches.

• The two-week investigation will determine accountability, including whether modifications or suspensions are required to prevent future incidents.