20 killed as Mexico metro overpass collapses

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

At least 20 people have been killed and dozens injured in Mexico City when an overpass carrying metro train cars partially collapsed on to a road below, according to authorities.

Rescue efforts for potential survivors were paused on Monday night at the overpass of the metro’s 12 line shortly after the accident, authorities said, because of the risk that more of the Metro overpass and train cars could slam down onto the road.

However, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said the rescue had been suspended “because the train is very weak”.

A crane was being transported to the site to stabilise the train carriages so rescuers could resume their work, she said.

Sheinbaum said seven of the people transported to hospital were in a “grave condition” and undergoing surgery. She earlier said a total of around 70 people had been injured.
Other images showed at least two train carriages precariously hanging from the damaged overpass as emergency fire and medical crews initially used ladders to access the carriages.

The metro’s 12 line was built when Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard was the mayor of Mexico City, NatureNews gathered.