The Tragic El Virilla Train Accident of 1926

On a somber Sunday, March 14, 1926, Costa Rica experienced one of its most devastating tragedies: the El Virilla train accident. This catastrophic event, which unfolded in the picturesque yet perilous Virilla River Canyon, claimed the lives of 385 people and left 93 injured, etching a dark day into the nation's memory. It was a journey intended for spiritual solace that ended in immense sorrow.

A Pilgrimage to La Negrita

The ill-fated train was a special service, chartered specifically for a religious pilgrimage. Its passengers, predominantly farmers and laborers from the towns of Alajuela and Heredia, were bound for Cartago. Their destination was the revered Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles, home to the cherished stone figurine of La Negrita, believed by many to possess powerful healing properties. This spiritual journey, a common devotion in Costa Rican culture, was organized by Professor Francisco Gomez Alizago, a benevolent figure who sought to raise funds for a home for the elderly in Cartago. The tickets, sold with the inscription "For the benefit of the elderly of Cartago," underscored the noble intent behind the excursion.

Overwhelming Demand and a Doomed Journey

What began as a charitable endeavor quickly became overwhelmed by its own popularity. A six-carriage train had been arranged, but the demand far exceeded its capacity. Over a thousand tickets were sold, with no apparent limit placed on their distribution, leading to a grossly overcrowded situation from the outset. Early that morning, at 7:00 AM, three carriages departed from Alajuela. After a 30-minute stop, the train continued its journey, adding three more carriages at Heredia. Despite the expanded capacity, many eager pilgrims were still unable to board the packed train. So dense was the crowd that the train even skipped a later scheduled stop, unable to accommodate a single additional passenger, underscoring the extreme oversubscription that defined this tragic trip.

The Derailment in the Virilla River Canyon

The train's journey took a fatal turn at approximately 8:20 AM as it began to cross a bridge spanning the deep Virilla River Canyon. This section of the track lay on a challenging left-hand curve. A fatal combination of a poorly fastened rail and the immense, excessive weight of the overcrowded train proved disastrous. The last carriage derailed first, tragically pulling two subsequent carriages from the track. One of these carriages plunged a terrifying 190 feet (58 meters) into the river below, leading to the devastating loss of life. Among the 385 fatalities was the altruistic organizer himself, Professor Alizago, a testament to the indiscriminate nature of the disaster.

Aftermath and National Mourning

In the immediate aftermath, rescue efforts bravely continued into the evening, a desperate race against time and darkness in the challenging terrain of the Virilla River Canyon. Special trains were quickly dispatched to transport the numerous bodies back to Alajuela and Heredia, where they were laid out at the stations for identification by grieving friends and families. The scale of the tragedy prompted an immediate and profound national response. The Costa Rican government declared three days of national mourning, during which flags flew solemnly at half-mast. Cinemas, bars, and other places of entertainment across the country were closed, as the nation united in shared grief and remembrance of the 1926 train disaster, a scar on Costa Rican history that resonated for decades.