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May 11, 2026
Ferrocarril del Pacífico (Fepasa) reported that it preventively withdrew a set of 27 wagons from circulation following a train derailment in Chiguayante, Bio Bio Region, which occurred in the early hours of May 9, because they have the same components supplied by a manufacturer as the damaged wagons.
A preliminary report from the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (UIAF), part of the State Railway Company (EFE), suggested that the root cause of the incident was the detachment of a wheel from the bogie of one of the wagons.
Through a statement, the company indicated that "as a preventive measure, Fepasa withdrew 27 recently commissioned wagons from circulation, out of a total fleet of 2,000 units, because their rolling elements belong to the same batch supplied by the equipment provider. This measure does not affect the operational continuity of the company's services."
"It should be noted that these components had been recently supplied by the manufacturer and installed in the wagon, and had few kilometers of use, equivalent to 1.5% of their useful life," indicated Ferrocarril del Pacífico.
Likewise, the company stated that it is aware of the preliminary report related to the cause of the accident and that it requested an independent investigation to determine the origin of the derailment. The company also stressed that it has actively participated in providing information and recovering the affected material.
"Fepasa has taken note of the preliminary report issued by EFE's Railway Accident Investigation Unit (UIAF) regarding the origin of the derailment. Since the beginning of the contingency, the company has been actively collaborating with EFE and the corresponding authorities, providing available information and deploying the necessary resources to support the removal of the involved wagons, the recovery of the track, and the prompt restoration of railway traffic," they stated in the communiqué.
"Additionally, Fepasa requested an independent technical investigation from specialists at the Institute of Technological Research of the University of Concepción (IIT UdeC) with the aim of precisely determining the origin of the event. Among other aspects, the rolling element of the involved wagon, consisting of axle, wheel, and bearings, will be handed over for review and technical tests, a process that is estimated to last at least fifteen days," the company stated.
"Fepasa's priority will continue to be to safeguard the safety of people, workers, and the community, maintain safe operations, and collaborate transparently with all ongoing investigations, seeking to restore the normality of railway services as soon as possible," the railway company assured.
Source: portalportuario
