🔗 Share this article At least thirteen people lose their lives and 98 wounded in rail accident in Mexico. A deadly train crash in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite opposition criticisms regarding the speed and handling of the country's major public works projects. The accident occurred on the Interoceanic Train, a line constructed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This endeavor was created to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring economic development in the area. “We shall meticulously determine what caused this accident,” affirmed the country's president. The official confirmed that, of the around 250 people on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in grave condition. The leader noted plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those affected. Major Initiative of Former Government The Interoceanic Train was a signature infrastructure project of the previous administration, whose time in office concluded the prior year. This venture was intimately linked to his leadership's economic goals for the southern region. Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that era, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the comprehensive effort to kickstart the economic fortunes of a historically less developed part of the country. Construction Oversight and Safety Concerns The development of both railway systems was supervised by the army, marking a dramatic increase of its duties in public infrastructure. They were built at an rapid rate, defying forecasts to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that government. However, this accelerated timeline had concurrently sparked significant concerns over safety standards. Sunday's derailment was the third event on the Interoceanic Train this 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 had a couple of non-lethal derailments. Demands for Audit and Pause In the wake of the catastrophe, the leader of a primary political opposition urged an immediate pause in the building and running of all such projects. This pause was proposed while awaiting a thorough independent investigation. The party emphasized that the situation "calls for immediate answers." In reply, the head of state maintained that the train had been operating in full accordance with all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would be "diligent" in both the development and operation of these vital undertakings.
A deadly train crash in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite opposition criticisms regarding the speed and handling of the country's major public works projects. The accident occurred on the Interoceanic Train, a line constructed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This endeavor was created to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring economic development in the area. “We shall meticulously determine what caused this accident,” affirmed the country's president. The official confirmed that, of the around 250 people on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in grave condition. The leader noted plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those affected. Major Initiative of Former Government The Interoceanic Train was a signature infrastructure project of the previous administration, whose time in office concluded the prior year. This venture was intimately linked to his leadership's economic goals for the southern region. Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that era, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the comprehensive effort to kickstart the economic fortunes of a historically less developed part of the country. Construction Oversight and Safety Concerns The development of both railway systems was supervised by the army, marking a dramatic increase of its duties in public infrastructure. They were built at an rapid rate, defying forecasts to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that government. However, this accelerated timeline had concurrently sparked significant concerns over safety standards. Sunday's derailment was the third event on the Interoceanic Train this 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 had a couple of non-lethal derailments. Demands for Audit and Pause In the wake of the catastrophe, the leader of a primary political opposition urged an immediate pause in the building and running of all such projects. This pause was proposed while awaiting a thorough independent investigation. The party emphasized that the situation "calls for immediate answers." In reply, the head of state maintained that the train had been operating in full accordance with all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would be "diligent" in both the development and operation of these vital undertakings.