A minimum of 13 passengers killed and 98 hurt in rail accident in Mexico.

A tragic train crash in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive critical opposition regarding the speed and handling of the country's major government projects.

The accident occurred on the Interoceanic Train, a route constructed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This endeavor was created to establish an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area.

“We will meticulously determine the cause of this tragedy,” declared the country's president.

The president announced that, of the around 250 passengers on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in critical condition. The president noted plans to visit Oaxaca to meet those impacted.

Flagship Project of Past Leadership

The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone infrastructure project of the immediate past president, whose term concluded the year before. This venture was closely associated with his administration's strategic agenda for the southeastern region.

Another massive rail project from that era, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the comprehensive effort to stimulate the economy of a relatively disadvantaged part of the country.

Building Management and Safety Concerns

The development of both railway systems was managed by the army, marking a significant expansion of its duties in public projects. They were built at an accelerated rate, defying predictions to be partially launched before the end of that government.

However, this rushed timetable had simultaneously fueled ongoing concerns over operational security.

• Sunday's crash was the third event on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
• This encompasses an prior accident this month when a train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing.
• The other major rail project has also experienced a couple of non-lethal derailments.

Appeals for Audit and Pause

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the leader of a major opposition party urged an prompt pause in the building and running of all comparable projects.

This halt was proposed until the completion of a thorough independent investigation. The party declared that the loss of life "calls for prompt explanations."

In response, the national leader maintained that the train had been running in full compliance with all security protocols. Assurances were given that the government would continue to be "responsible" in both the construction and running of these strategic projects.