A tanker truck carrying 35,000 l (9,200 USG) of diesel was hit late Thursday by a moving train in the central Mexican state of Aguascalientes, triggering an explosion that prompted the evacuation of hundreds of people from the area.
The tanker truck tried to cross the railway ahead of the approaching train but failed to clear the crossing. The tanker truck belonged to freight company Transportes Torres, which apologized for the incident and said it was cooperating with authorities. The train was operated by Mexico's largest rail company FerroMex.
Around 1,500 people were evacuated from the area from 100-150 homes, while close to 50 vehicles were damaged, according to the Aguascalientes government. The state reported damage to natural gas pipelines near the area, and three people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
State and federal public safety officials, together with civil protection staff, the army and the national guard remained in the area as of midday 20 October, state governor Teresa Jimenez said.
