No fewer than thirteen passengers lose their lives and 98 injured in train crash in the nation of Mexico.

A tragic railway accident in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has caused the fatalities of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive opposition criticisms regarding the rapidity and execution of the country's major public works projects.

The crash happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link built to join the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was designed to establish an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area.

“We are going to rigorously clarify what caused this tragedy,” affirmed the national leader.

The president confirmed that, of the approximately 250 passengers on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in serious condition. The official added plans to visit Oaxaca to meet those affected.

Major Initiative of Past Leadership

The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone public works project of the former leader, whose time in office finished the prior year. This project was a hallmark of his government's strategic vision for the southern region.

Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that period, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the broader strategy to kickstart the economic fortunes of a relatively poorer part of the country.

Construction Oversight and Risks Apprehensions

The construction of both rail lines was supervised by the nation's military, marking a dramatic expansion of its responsibilities in national works. They were completed at an accelerated rate, surpassing forecasts to be at least partly launched before the end of that government.

However, this rushed timetable had simultaneously raised persistent concerns over safety standards.

• Sunday's derailment was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
• This includes an earlier accident this month when a train hit a truck at a railroad crossing.
• The other major rail project has also seen two non-lethal derailments.

Calls for Review and Suspension

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the leader of a primary political opposition demanded an prompt pause in the construction and operation of all similar projects.

This pause was requested while awaiting a thorough technical review. The party stated that the tragedy "requires swift accountability."

In reply, the president asserted that the train had been running in full compliance with all operational standards. Assurances were given that the government would remain "accountable" in both the construction and running of these national projects.