Mexican Bishops' Ministry Urges Action After Train Derailment Kills Migrants David Agren - Catholic News Service
go to original September 6, 2013

11 died and dozens more were injured after the freight train they were riding on derailed in southern Mexico. The train - known as "The Beast" - runs north towards the US border. It regularly carries migrants from south and central America trying to reach the United States. Al Jazeera's Mereana Hond reports. (AlJazeeraEnglish)

MEXICO CITY - The Mexican bishops' ministry for people on the move called for prayer, reflection and action after a train carrying northbound Central Americans derailed in southern Mexico, killing 11 migrants.

"Let us act so that this situation may be resolved; that people have the right to free transit; sufficient security to reach their destination; (and) ... in their own nation, possibilities for development, security and peace," said the statement, signed by Bishop Guillermo Ortiz Mondragon of Cuautitlan, director of the ministry.

The cargo train, commonly called, "The Beast," derailed early Aug. 25 in Tabasco state. An increasing number of Central Americans cross into Tabasco from neighboring Guatemala to steal rides atop trains transiting the country.

The Tabasco state government said theft of railway parts weakened the tracks and caused the derailment.

Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City asked prayers for the victims during Mass Aug. 25 and expressed condolences to their families.

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