No fewer than thirteen passengers killed and ninety-eight injured in train derailment in Mexico.
A deadly railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive censure from critics regarding the pace and management of the country's major public works projects.
The crash took place on the Interoceanic Train, a rail link developed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was intended to offer an different freight railway path to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area.
“We will thoroughly investigate what caused this incident,” affirmed the country's president.
The official reported that, of the some 250 individuals on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in critical condition. The leader noted plans to visit Oaxaca to speak with those impacted.
Major Initiative of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a central infrastructure project of the former leader, whose time in office finished the prior year. This project was intimately linked to his government's strategic goals for the southern region.
Another multi-billion dollar rail project from that era, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the wider plan to stimulate the economy of a historically poorer part of the country.
Building Management and Worries
The development of both train projects was overseen by the armed forces, marking a dramatic increase of its role in civilian infrastructure. They were executed at an rapid rate, defying forecasts to be partially opened before the end of that presidency.
However, this rushed timetable had concurrently raised ongoing questions over operational security.
- Sunday's derailment was the third event on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This encompasses an earlier crash this month when a train smashed into a truck at a crossing.
- The other major rail project has also experienced a couple of non-deadly derailments.
Calls for Investigation and Halt
In the wake of the catastrophe, the chief of a major opposition party demanded an prompt pause in the construction and operation of all comparable projects.
This stoppage was proposed until the completion of a thorough safety audit. The party declared that the loss of life "calls for prompt explanations."
In response, the president maintained that the train had been operating in complete adherence to all safety requirements. Promises were given that the government would remain "responsible" in both the development and management of these vital projects.