MEXICO CITY (AP) — A recent incident involving the tourist-focused Maya Train in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula has drawn attention after one of its cars derailed due to an automated switch failure. The accident occurred on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in the town of Izamal, resulting in no reported injuries, but leaving one of the train's cars off the track and leaning against another train.
General Óscar David Lozano from the Mexican army, which operates and constructed the train, provided insights into the incident on Wednesday. He explained that a malfunction occurred in the signaling system, causing the automated switch to change positions while the train was still moving straight over it. Fortunately, the train was traveling at a slow speed as it approached the station, which likely prevented injuries and further damage.
Lozano noted that the train's engineer had been informed to enter the station, but the switch activated prematurely when only two of the train's four cars had passed, leading to the derailment of the car. He described this as an anomaly that requires thorough analysis, emphasizing that such an event should not have happened. The investigation into the cause of the malfunction is expected to take approximately two weeks.
The Maya Train operates a route that spans about 950 miles (1,500 kilometers) in a loop around the Yucatan Peninsula, transporting passengers from the Caribbean resort of Cancun to Merida, the capital of Yucatan. The project, which commenced operations in late 2023, was designed to facilitate tourism by linking popular Caribbean destinations with significant archaeological sites inland. Despite its potential, ridership for the train has remained relatively low, indicating challenges in attracting travelers to this new transportation option.
This incident emphasizes the need for safety measures and proper functionality of automated systems in public transportation, particularly in tourism-focused areas. The authorities will be closely scrutinizing the technical aspects of the train's operation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
