At least 13 passengers perish and ninety-eight injured in rail accident in Mexico.
A tragic train derailment in the southern state of Oaxaca has caused the fatalities of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive opposition criticisms regarding the rapidity and execution of the country's key infrastructure initiatives.
The disaster happened on the Interoceanic Train, a line built to link the Atlantic and Pacific across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to provide an different freight railway path to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area.
“We shall meticulously determine what caused this accident,” stated the country's president.
The president announced that, of the approximately 250 individuals on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in critical condition. The president added plans to visit Oaxaca to speak with those impacted.
Major Initiative of Previous Administration
The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone development scheme of the former leader, whose term ended the year before. This rail line was intimately linked to his administration's economic vision for the southern region.
Another ambitious train initiative from that time, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the wider plan to revitalize the economy of a comparatively less developed part of the country.
Building Management and Worries
The construction of both train projects was overseen by the armed forces, marking a notable growth of its duties in national works. They were executed at an accelerated rate, beating predictions to be partially opened before the end of that presidency.
However, this rushed timetable had also raised ongoing apprehensions over safety standards.
- Sunday's crash was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train this year.
- This involves an previous accident this month when a train smashed into a truck at a level crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-fatal derailments.
Calls for Review and Suspension
In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the head of a primary political opposition demanded an prompt suspension in the construction and operation of all such projects.
This halt was proposed pending a thorough safety audit. The party declared that the tragedy "calls for swift accountability."
In reply, the head of state maintained that the train had been operating in complete compliance with all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would continue to be "responsible" in both the development and management of these national undertakings.