Death toll from Mexico subway collapse increases 1:58
(CNN) -
It's known as the "Golden Line."
Line 12 of the Mexico City metro system, which spans 25.1 kilometers (15.6 miles) and has 20 stations, was touted as one of the most expensive and ambitious public works projects in Mexican history when it opened in October 2012.
"It reflects a technological advance and cutting-edge features that can only be compared to the construction of the world's great metro systems," boasted a Mexico City government official during the inauguration ceremony.
Number of dead people rises to 26 after the collapse of a section of the metro in Mexico
The highly publicized ribbon-cutting was attended by Mexican political power figures at the time, including then-President Felipe Calderón and Marcelo Ebrard, who was in his final days as mayor of Mexico City and is now chancellor.
Also there was Carlos Slim, the richest man in Mexico and owner of one of the construction companies involved.
But fast forward eight years, and the Golden Line is, in many ways, a symbol of Mexico's social ills and challenges, from corruption to impunity, inequality and neglect, especially after the deadly collapse of the elevated railroads la last week it killed at least 26 people.
The Gold Line was supposed to connect historically underserved neighborhoods with more affluent areas of the Mexican metropolis and provide people with equal access to jobs, cultural centers, and some of the best things Mexico City has to offer in an affordable way.
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But various experts who spoke to CNN in the days after the Gold Line collapsed say this was a foretold tragedy.
AMLO explains why he did not visit subway victims 0:43
Gold Line accident: 'Could have been prevented with proper maintenance'
Jorge Gaviño Ambriz, who served as director of the Mexico City Metro between 2015 and 2018, said he believes the collapse could have been avoided, although he would like to see first what kind of maintenance and inspection was carried out on the entire line.
"Obviously, it could have been prevented with proper maintenance," Gaviño Ambriz said.
“I think there are already 2020 photos taken by some neighbors that show that the section that collapsed was already curving, a beam that curved downwards like an arch.
If this is not fixed, an accident can immediately occur, "added Gaviño Ambriz.
Voices of the tragedy in the Mexico City subway: «I heard many screams.
Much despair.
That made me react »
Mexico City officials said at a press conference the day after the accident that the last structural inspection was carried out in January 2020 and showed no irregularities.
Sergio Alcocer, a structural engineer and researcher at the School of Engineering of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said it is impossible to tell at first glance what caused the accident, even if there were cracks in the walls or bent beams.
“What happened with this structure is that there have been some deficiencies in other sections and perhaps we want to extrapolate what happened with those sections with what happened with the one that failed.
Indeed, there was damage to a column that had to be repaired in 2017, "said Alcocer.
“Some have inferred that the damage resulting from the earthquake of September 19, 2017 caused the collapse.
I don't think so, but the researchers will have to look into that. "
Find out what Mexico City is doing in the face of the 1:37 subway tragedy
Gold Line passengers told CNN that over the years they had seen signs - a ragged wall, a crack, service interruptions - that made them wonder about their safety.
The dozens of deaths and injuries caused by the collapse were the culmination of a long series of alert incidents that should have prompted authorities to suspend service or shut down the line entirely, they say.
The outrage over the collapse has led to a request for the resignation of the current Metro director, Florencia Serranía.
The day after the collapse, he told the press that he would not resign, but promised to cooperate with any government and independent investigation.
His agency "will deliver to the Attorney General's Office all the information in our power so that the cause of this accident can be found," Serranía said last week.
"Like all passengers, we want to know the truth about what happened and we will cooperate with the authorities to that end."
Mexico City metro
