Mexico City: Children among 23 killed after metro overpass collapse

4 May 2021, 07:15 | Updated: 4 May 2021, 17:32

By Ewan Quayle

@EQjourno

At least 23 people including children have been killed after a metro overpass partially collapsed in Mexico City, authorities have said.

The city's civil protection agency said dozens people were also injured in the tragic incident in the south of Mexico's capital, which happened at 10.30pm local time (4.30am UK time).

At least 79 people have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment including two 15-year-old girls.

Seven people have undergone emergency surgery and are considered "critical".

Authorities have released a preliminary list of people injured in the incident as relatives scramble to find loved ones who they believe were caught up in the incident.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, who rushed to the scene and remains there while the operation to rescue those trapped is underway, said she "regrets the loss of life" and will "give support to all the relatives" involved.

She added that minors are among the dead.

Ms Sheinbaum earlier explained that a "support beam gave way" caused the collapse which led to a train falling down onto the road, leaving cars trapped underneath the rubble.

Videos posted online show at least one broken train along with dozens of rescuers searching through the remnants of the collapsed overpass.

Work has now begun to remove the trains from where they crashed.

The accident happened on the metro's Line 12, the construction of which has been plagued by complaints and accusations of irregularities.

Mayor Sheinbaum announced a full investigation into the incident and a "structural review of the entire of Line 12".

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard wrote on Twitter: "What has happened on the metro today is a terrible tragedy."

He added: "Of course the causes should be investigated and those responsible should be identified. I repeat that I am entirely at the disposition of authorities to contribute in whatever way is necessary."

The Mexico City metro, one of the largest and busiest in the world, has had at least two serious accidents since its inauguration half a century ago.

In March of last year, a collision between two trains at the Tacubaya station left one passenger dead, injuring 41 people. In 2015, a train that did not stop on time crashed into another at the Oceania station, injuring 12 people.