No fewer than 13 people perish and 98 injured in rail accident in the nation of Mexico.

A tragic train derailment in the southern state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite critical opposition regarding the rapidity and management of the country's flagship public works projects.

The disaster occurred on the trans-isthmus railway, a rail link constructed to join the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was created to establish an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving regional growth in the area.

“We are going to thoroughly investigate what caused this incident,” affirmed the country's president.

The leader announced that, of the around 250 passengers on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in critical condition. The leader stated plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those impacted.

Flagship Project of Previous Administration

The Interoceanic Train was a central infrastructure project of the previous administration, whose term finished the year before. This project was a hallmark of his administration's developmental goals for the southeastern region.

Another ambitious railway undertaking from that period, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the comprehensive effort to revitalize the economy of a comparatively less developed part of the country.

Project Execution and Worries

The construction of both train projects was managed by the army, marking a notable increase of its responsibilities in public works. They were completed at an accelerated speed, surpassing predictions to be partially launched before the end of that administration.

However, this fast-paced schedule had also sparked persistent apprehensions over safety standards.

• Sunday's crash was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This involves an prior collision this month when a train struck a truck at a level crossing.
• The other major rail project has also had several non-deadly derailments.

Calls for Investigation and Halt

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the head of a major opposition party called for an prompt suspension in the building and running of all similar projects.

This stoppage was requested while awaiting a full safety audit. The party declared that the tragedy "requires swift accountability."

In reply, the president asserted that the train had been functioning in full compliance with all operational standards. Assurances were given that the government would remain "accountable" in both the development and operation of these strategic undertakings.