No fewer than 13 people killed and 98 injured in train crash in Mexico.
A deadly railway accident in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite censure from critics regarding the speed and handling of the country's key infrastructure initiatives.
The accident took place on the Interoceanic Train, a line constructed to join the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was created to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, intended to promote commercial progress in the area.
“We will thoroughly investigate the reasons behind this accident,” affirmed the country's president.
The official confirmed that, of the around 250 passengers on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in serious condition. The leader stated plans to travel to Oaxaca to confer with those affected.
Flagship Project of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a central infrastructure project of the immediate past president, whose presidency finished the year before. This rail line was a hallmark of his administration's economic goals for the southern region.
Another ambitious railway undertaking from that era, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the broader strategy to revitalize the economic fortunes of a historically less developed part of the country.
Construction Oversight and Worries
The development of both railway systems was overseen by the army, marking a significant expansion of its responsibilities in national works. They were executed at an accelerated rate, defying expectations to be partially inaugurated before the end of that administration.
However, this rushed timetable had simultaneously raised ongoing questions over operational security.
- Sunday's derailment was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This involves an prior crash this month when a train hit a truck at a crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-deadly derailments.
Calls for Review and Suspension
In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the head of a primary political opposition called for an prompt pause in the building and running of all such projects.
This pause was proposed pending a full safety audit. The party stated that the loss of life "demands prompt explanations."
In response, the national leader insisted that the train had been operating in total accordance with all safety requirements. Assurances were given that the government would be "accountable" in both the construction and operation of these national initiatives.
