Mexico: Train Company Halts Operations Because of Migrants Climbing, Jumping on Trains

Mexico-based railway company Ferromex is suspending its operations temporarily, and this is all because of migrants trying to illegally jump and climb onto their trains.

The train company, which runs its operations in northern Mexico, cited the reason for the work suspension was that "so many migrants are climbing aboard freight cars and getting hurt in the process." Around 60 trains carrying cargo that would fill 1,800 tractor-trailers have now temporarily halted operations. The work stoppage could affect international trade, according to experts.

According to the Associated Press, the company is owned by the conglomerate Grupo Mexico, which lamented the fact that migrants were hopping into moving train cars "despite the grave danger that represents."

"There has been a significant increase in the number of migrants in recent days," said the company in a statement.

It hopes stopping train operations would "protect the physical safety of the migrants." The company also noted that they are currently waiting for Mexican authorities to act and solve the problem.

Several migrants did not know that the train operations had halted and were still waiting for the trains to come. Around hundreds of them were found waiting at a railway yard in Huehuetoca, on the northern outskirts of Mexico City, only to be informed that the train going to Matamoros was not heading out.

Migrant Deaths Reported Aboard Mexico Trains

Migrants often hop aboard these trains to hitch a ride to the various border cities in the north. They often travel in groups, often as families trying to get to the border, and the dangers of riding on top of a train do not seem to scare them, even though many are also bringing young children.

These train rides have proven to be deadly to these migrants, though, as there have already been reports of deaths happening on these trains, according to France 24.

Ferromex noted, "In recent days, nearly half a dozen unfortunate cases of injuries or deaths were recorded among groups of people who, individually or in families, including children, boarded freight trains heading north, despite the serious danger involved."

These often-unwelcomed passengers also add to the train's overloading and add to the dangers as they travel hundreds of miles on top or in between these Mexico trains.

The Infamous Mexico Train Known as "The Beast" Has Been Transporting Migrants for Years

The most notable train that the migrants try to ride on their way to the US-Mexico border is called "La Bestia," or "The Beast." However, as NPR pointed out, many also call it the Death Train.

Half a million migrants are estimated to ride "The Beast" each year, and they often sit back-to-back along the spine of the train cars as they try and balance themselves, careful not to get knocked off. The migrants endure harsh conditions on top of these trains for quite some time, too, as the trip lasts between a week and several months. Many of these migrants have even made this same trip more than once.

One migrant admitted that staying on top of the train was tiring as they had to battle the scorching Mexico sun and the lack of food and water. The journey on top of "The Beast" has reportedly resulted in several deaths already, thus earning it its other moniker.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Riding 'the beast': Migrants board Mexico freight train to reach US - France 24 English