At least thirteen individuals killed and ninety-eight injured in train crash in Mexico.

A deadly train crash 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 pace and handling of the country's major public works projects.

The disaster happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link built to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to offer an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, intended to promote commercial progress in the area.

“We will meticulously determine the reasons behind this tragedy,” stated the national leader.

The leader confirmed that, of the some 250 individuals on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in critical condition. The leader added plans to visit Oaxaca to confer with those affected.

Flagship Project of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a central development scheme of the immediate past president, whose time in office ended the prior year. This venture was intimately linked to his government's economic agenda for the southern region.

Another ambitious train initiative from that time, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the broader strategy to kickstart the economic fortunes of a historically poorer part of the country.

Project Execution and Worries

The construction of both railway systems was managed by the armed forces, marking a dramatic growth of its responsibilities in national works. They were built at an rapid pace, defying predictions to be partially inaugurated before the end of that government.

However, this accelerated timeline had simultaneously fueled persistent concerns over construction quality.

• Sunday's crash was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This involves an prior collision this month when a train smashed into a truck at a level crossing.
• The other major rail project has also seen a couple of non-lethal derailments.

Appeals for Investigation and Halt

In the wake of the tragedy, the leader of a major opposition party called for an immediate halt in the construction and operation of all such projects.

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

In reaction, the president asserted that the train had been running in complete accordance with all safety requirements. Commitments were given that the government would continue to be "accountable" in both the construction and running of these strategic projects.