No fewer than 13 people killed and ninety-eight wounded in train derailment in the nation of Mexico.

A deadly railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths 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 constructed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was intended to offer an different freight railway path to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area.

“We are going to rigorously clarify the reasons behind this incident,” declared the country's president.

The leader confirmed that, of the around 250 individuals on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in serious condition. The president noted plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those impacted.

Key Undertaking of Previous Administration

The Interoceanic Train was a signature public works project of the former leader, whose presidency ended the year before. This project was a hallmark of his administration's developmental agenda for the southeastern region.

Another massive train initiative from that era, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the broader strategy to stimulate the economy of a comparatively disadvantaged part of the country.

Building Management and Worries

The development of both train projects was supervised by the nation's military, marking a dramatic growth of its duties in civilian infrastructure. They were built at an rapid speed, defying forecasts to be at least partly launched before the end of that presidency.

However, this accelerated timeline had also raised significant questions over construction quality.

• Sunday's derailment was the third event on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
• This encompasses an prior crash this month when a train smashed into a truck at a crossing.
• The other major rail project has also experienced two non-fatal derailments.

Calls for Review and Suspension

In the wake of the disaster, the leader of a key rival party urged an urgent suspension in the building and running of all such projects.

This stoppage was requested until the completion of a full independent investigation. The party declared that the loss of life "demands swift accountability."

In response, the president asserted that the train had been running in total compliance with all security protocols. Commitments were given that the government would remain "responsible" in both the development and running of these strategic projects.