No fewer than 13 passengers perish and 98 injured in train derailment 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 censure from critics regarding the speed and execution of the country's key public works projects.

The accident occurred on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link developed to join the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This endeavor was designed to provide an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving economic development in the area.

“We will meticulously determine what caused this tragedy,” declared the head of state.

The leader announced that, of the approximately 250 passengers on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in grave condition. The president stated plans to visit Oaxaca to meet those involved.

Key Undertaking of Previous Administration

The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone development scheme of the immediate past president, whose term ended the previous year. This project was a hallmark of his leadership's economic agenda for the southeastern region.

Another ambitious railway undertaking from that era, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the wider plan to revitalize the economy of a comparatively less developed part of the country.

Construction Oversight and Worries

The construction of both rail lines was supervised by the nation's military, marking a dramatic increase of its duties in national infrastructure. They were executed at an fast-tracked speed, beating expectations to be partially opened before the end of that presidency.

However, this rushed timetable had simultaneously raised persistent concerns over construction quality.

• Sunday's accident was the third event on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This includes an prior accident this month when a train struck a truck at a railroad crossing.
• The other major rail project has also experienced several non-lethal derailments.

Demands for Review and Suspension

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the head of a major opposition party urged an immediate suspension in the development and management of all such projects.

This pause was requested pending a thorough independent investigation. The party emphasized that the situation "calls for prompt explanations."

In response, the president maintained that the train had been running in full accordance with all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would be "accountable" in both the development and running of these national projects.