Around 7:30pm on holiday Monday, November 4th, an accident was reported on the Medellín city train, causing service to be suspended for about three hours on Line A, between La Estrella and Acevedo.
From the famous mass transit system in the capital of Antioquia They said it was “an incident with someone on the road,” which caused the Madera, Bello and Niquía stations to be disabled.
Although they did not give further details, it would be a case of suicide. as from the official account of the social network X of Metro Medellín they asked not to publish recordings or photos of what happened.
“Out of respect and compassion, refrain from revealing images of this situation which is a public health (sic) issue”they tried, together with contacts from entities that work with people suffering from a mental health crisis.
It was not until 10 pm on Monday that service was restored in that area of the capital of Antioquia, as reported in X.
Medellín Metro has announced changes to its operation – Metro credit“Line A resumes its normal route between Niquía and La Estrella stations, after being modified due to an incident with a person on the road (sic),” they announced.
However, a video of how one of the system’s trains was left in the area where the incident was reported went viral on social networks.
“Someone jumped on the Line A tracks of the @metrodemedellin a few minutes ago near the Madera station. One of the trains that was moving forward at the time of the incident was seriously damaged due to the strong (sic) impact,” they published on the X Colombia Oscura (@ColombiaOscura_) account along with a short film of the vehicle.
At least in media records, This year four of these events took place in Medellin’s mass transit system, ie. where two of them occurred
The latest one was also held again in Line A, when around 4:30 on the morning of Wednesday, August 27, a man jumped to the system rails.
“Due to an incident with someone on the road, line A of the metro provides service between Niquía and Itagüí. Stations out of service: Sabaneta. La Estrella (sic)”, they published in X then.
06/20/2024 Economy.- Eurona offers free Wi-Fi throughout the metro network of Medellín (Colombia) after investing more than 645,000 euros. Eurona has completed free Wi-Fi coverage for all users of the Medellín metro network in Colombia after investing more than 645,000 euros, as the connectivity solutions company reported this Thursday. EUROPEAN ECONOMYThe same thing had happened at the beginning of that month, on August 2 exactly, after another person apparently jumped against one of the system’s trains, again on Line A, causing service to be suspended again between Niquia and La Estrella stations due to an “incident with a person”.
Five months earlier, On the night of March 27, the other event took place in the same part of the mass transit system, where another man jumped on the rails at the Acevedo station, causing trauma in the service.
The first of the cases of people allegedly taking their own lives took place on February 20, where Another man jumped onto the railway tracks at the Estadio station, disrupting the system in the part that goes from the center to the west of Medellín, ie. on Line B.
Given these types of events, From the Office of the Mayor of Medellín they implemented the so-called ’Listeners’ where there are expert personnel who provide psychological and emotional support for people with mental health problems.
According to the latest data from Forensic Medicine, suicides were reduced by 6.23% between January and August 2024, with 1,942 cases, after 2,063 events were reported in the same period of the previous year of people who decide to end their lives.
Bogotá with 229 events, Medellín with 125 and Cali (79), are the most cities where these events were recorded. related to mental health problems.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Sofia Reyes, Mental Health Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Reyes. Thank you for joining us today to discuss a critical issue that has impacted the Medellín Metro recently. On November 4, an incident on the metro tracks led to the suspension of services due to a presumed case of suicide. Can you share your thoughts on the mental health crisis and how it connects to public transport incidents?
Dr. Sofia Reyes: Thank you for having me. Cases like the recent incident highlight a troubling trend we see in urban environments. Public transport systems are vital for city dwellers, but they also become sites where individuals in severe mental distress may act impulsively. The connection between public spaces and mental health crises is something we need to address seriously.
Editor: Indeed, this incident isn’t isolated. Over the years, Medellín has seen multiple similar events on their metro lines. From your perspective as a mental health expert, what factors might contribute to this recurring issue?
Dr. Reyes: Several factors could be at play. For one, urbanization often leads to increased isolation and stress among individuals. Many people rely on public transport without considering the daily toll it takes on their mental health. Additionally, societal stigma surrounding mental health issues can prevent individuals from seeking help. We need better mental health resources in our communities, especially near public transportation hubs.
Editor: You mentioned the stigma around mental health. Is there any data suggesting that initiatives to reduce that stigma in places like Medellín would be beneficial?
Dr. Reyes: Absolutely. Studies show that community awareness and education campaigns can significantly reduce stigma. When people understand mental health issues, they are more likely to empathize with those suffering. Furthermore, supportive environments can encourage individuals to seek help early, potentially preventing crises before they escalate into tragic incidents.
Editor: The Medellín Metro reported that, out of respect, passengers were urged not to circulate images or videos from the scene of the incident. How important is this request in the context of mental health awareness?
Dr. Reyes: This is critical. Sharing graphic content can exacerbate the trauma not only for those directly involved but also for witnesses and the wider community. It desensitizes individuals to the real human suffering that occurs. Respectful communication is key to fostering compassion and may encourage others to speak about their own struggles.
Editor: Following such incidents, what kind of interventions can transportation services implement to help passengers in distress?
Dr. Reyes: We can look at various interventions. Firstly, training metro staff on mental health awareness would help them identify and assist individuals who may be in distress. Secondly, implementing signage that provides mental health resources or helplines throughout the metro system could be beneficial. Lastly, creating partnerships with local mental health organizations can facilitate supportive outreach.
Editor: Those seem like constructive steps. in your opinion, how can we foster a culture of understanding and support for mental health issues in our broader communities?
Dr. Reyes: Building a culture of understanding starts with open conversations about mental health at all levels. Schools, workplaces, and community centers should provide mental health education. Encouraging storytelling—where individuals can share personal experiences—can also demystify mental health struggles and bring communities together in support.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Reyes, for such valuable insights. It’s clear that addressing mental health, especially in the context of public transport, requires community effort, empathy, and proactive measures.
Dr. Reyes: Thank you for having me. It’s essential we keep this conversation going to foster a more supportive environment for everyone.