No fewer than 13 passengers killed and 98 hurt in train crash in Mexico.
A fatal train crash in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive censure from critics regarding the pace and handling of the country's key public works projects.
The accident happened on the trans-isthmus railway, a line developed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This endeavor was intended to establish an different freight railway path to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring commercial progress in the area.
“We will rigorously clarify the cause of this incident,” declared the national leader.
The leader confirmed that, of the around 250 people on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in serious condition. The president added plans to travel to Oaxaca to meet those affected.
Major Initiative of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone development scheme of the immediate past president, whose term ended the prior year. This venture was intimately linked to his government's economic goals for the southern region.
Another massive railway undertaking from that period, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the broader strategy to revitalize the economic fortunes of a relatively less developed part of the country.
Construction Oversight and Worries
The development of both railway systems was managed by the armed forces, marking a dramatic increase of its responsibilities in civilian works. They were built at an fast-tracked speed, surpassing predictions to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that administration.
However, this accelerated timeline had concurrently fueled ongoing questions over safety standards.
- Sunday's accident was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train this year.
- This involves an prior crash this month when a train struck a truck at a crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had two non-deadly derailments.
Demands for Investigation and Halt
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the head of a primary political opposition urged an urgent halt in the construction and operation of all such projects.
This halt was suggested pending a full safety audit. The party declared that the loss of life "requires prompt explanations."
In reply, the national leader maintained that the train had been running in total compliance with all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would remain "accountable" in both the construction and management of these national initiatives.
