23 killed and 63 hospitalized in Mexico metro overpass collapse

At least 23 people were killed and 65 hospitalized when a railroad track in Mexico City collapsed, causing a train to crash into cars underneath. Rescue efforts for potential survivors were interrupted shortly after the crash on Monday night, shortly after crossing the Metro's 12-line, and authorities said there was a risk that more train parts and debris could fall on the road. The mayor of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, said a crane was being brought to the site to support the train carriages so teams could continue their operations.

Sheinbaum said seven of the people carried to the hospital were in a 'serious condition' and had undergone surgery.

"Unfortunately, there are children among the dead," Sheinbaum said without specifying how many. "A support beam gave way" just as the train was crossing it, she added.

A video on local Mexican channel Milenio TV showed the formation falling into a stream of cars near the Olivos station in the southeast of the city at about 10.30 pm local time (Tuesday 03:30 GMT).

Other images presented at least two train carriages hanging dangerously from the damaged viaduct, as emergency fires and medical teams initially used ladders to gain access to the carriages.

A crane was stopping one subway car hanging on the collapsed section so emergency workers could come in to check on a wrecked car to see if anyone was still trapped.

Friends and relatives of the victims of the subway bridge waited for their loved ones early Tuesday, but many feared the worst. "My brother is still in the rubble," said one man.

Police kept people away from the immediate scene of the disaster where rescue teams were working.

Oscar Lopez - a friend of one of the missing Adriana Salas (26), a woman six months pregnant - said she was talking to her mother on the train over the phone when contact was suddenly lost.

"I was talking to her when she left work; she was in touch through messages ... The police and paramedics are not telling us anything," Lopez said.

The 12-line Metro was built when Secretary of State Marcelo Ebrard was the mayor of Mexico City.

"What happened to the Metro today is a terrible tragedy. My solidarity with the victims and their families, "Ebrard said on Twitter.

'Of course, the causes must be investigated and responsibilities defined. I repeat that I am at the disposal of authorities to help with anything that is needed. ”

Ebrard and Sheinbaum are viewed by many political commentators as the possible successors to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador once his six-year term in 2024 expires.

The Mexico City subway, 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 last year, a passenger was killed and 41 people injured in a collision between two trains at Tacubaya station. In 2015, a train that did not stop in time crashed into another at Oceania Station, injuring 12 people.