At least 10 people were killed and more than 40 injured after a freight train slammed into a double-decker bus in Atlacomulco, around 130 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, early Monday. Authorities said the tragic accident occurred in an industrial zone filled with warehouses and factories.

The state of Mexico’s civil defence agency confirmed the death toll and reported that 41 passengers were hospitalized across the state. The bus, operated by the Herradura de Plata line, was ripped apart in the collision. Meanwhile, the state prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the incident.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City of Mexico, which operates the train, confirmed the accident and extended condolences to victims’ families. The Calgary-based rail company said its staff were at the crash site and cooperating with authorities.

CCTV footage of the collision circulating on social media shows the bus slowly crossing the tracks amid heavy traffic when the high-speed freight train suddenly appears and rams into it at the midpoint. The bus was dragged down the tracks before the train slowed to a halt. The video shows the passenger side of the bus being struck, while the roof was torn off in the aftermath.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos, with victims crying for help. “Help me, help me,” one woman could be heard pleading in a video. Rebeca Miranda, who was waiting near the tracks, said her sister and niece-in-law were on board. Her sister survived with injuries, but the younger woman died in the accident.

Residents expressed anger, saying the bus should not have attempted to cross the tracks while the train approached. Reports noted there were no visible gates or warning signals at the crossing.

According to the Rail Transportation Regulating Agency of Mexico, accidents at level crossings have been rising in recent years, with 800 recorded last year compared to 602 in 2020. Similar tragedies have occurred before: in August, six people were killed in Guanajuato state when a train hit several vehicles, and in 2019, nine people died after a freight train struck a passenger bus in Querétaro.