A deadly train derailment 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 management of the country's key public works projects.
The accident happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link developed to join the Atlantic and Pacific across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was designed to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, intended to promote economic development in the area.
“We shall thoroughly investigate the cause of this incident,” affirmed the country's president.
The official confirmed that, of the approximately 250 people on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in serious condition. The president added plans to go to Oaxaca to speak with those affected.
Major Initiative of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a central public works project of the immediate past president, whose presidency ended the previous year. This rail line was a hallmark of his administration's developmental 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 wider plan to kickstart the economy of a comparatively less developed part of the country.
Project Execution and Worries
The construction of both railway systems was supervised by the armed forces, marking a notable expansion of its role in national projects. They were completed at an rapid rate, beating expectations to be partially inaugurated before the end of that administration.
However, this accelerated timeline had also fueled persistent apprehensions over safety standards.
- Sunday's crash was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This encompasses an previous crash this month when a train smashed into a truck at a crossing.
- The other major rail project has also experienced a couple of non-deadly derailments.
Demands for Investigation and Halt
In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the head of a primary political opposition urged an immediate halt in the building and running of all similar projects.
This pause was requested until the completion of a comprehensive independent investigation. The party declared that the situation "requires prompt explanations."
In reaction, the national leader insisted that the train had been operating in total accordance with all security protocols. Commitments were given that the government would remain "diligent" in both the construction and management of these strategic projects.
