No fewer than 13 people killed and 98 injured in train derailment in Mexico.

A deadly train derailment in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident sure to fuel censure from critics regarding the rapidity and management of the country's major public works projects.

The crash occurred on the Interoceanic Train, a rail link built to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was intended to establish an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, intended to promote commercial progress in the area.

“We are going to meticulously determine the cause of this tragedy,” stated the head of state.

The president announced that, of the some 250 passengers on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in critical condition. The president stated plans to travel to Oaxaca to meet those impacted.

Major Initiative of Past Leadership

The Interoceanic Train was a central public works project of the previous administration, whose term ended the year before. This project was a hallmark of his leadership's strategic agenda for the southern region.

Another multi-billion dollar railway undertaking from that time, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the wider plan to kickstart the economy of a relatively poorer part of the country.

Construction Oversight and Worries

The construction of both train projects was managed by the army, marking a significant growth of its responsibilities in civilian infrastructure. They were completed at an rapid rate, beating expectations to be at least partly opened before the end of that government.

However, this rushed timetable had concurrently raised persistent apprehensions over construction quality.

• Sunday's accident was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This encompasses an previous accident this month when a train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing.
• The other major rail project has also had two non-deadly derailments.

Calls for Review and Suspension

In the wake of the catastrophe, the leader of a key rival party urged an immediate suspension in the development and management of all similar projects.

This halt was suggested while awaiting a thorough technical review. The party stated that the tragedy "demands prompt explanations."

In response, the president insisted that the train had been functioning in total accordance with all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would remain "responsible" in both the development and management of these national initiatives.