A fatal train derailment in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident sure to fuel opposition criticisms regarding the rapidity and management of the country's flagship public works projects.
The accident took place on the Interoceanic Train, a rail link developed to link the Atlantic and Pacific across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This endeavor was created to offer an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, intended to promote commercial progress in the area.
“We are going to rigorously clarify what caused this accident,” declared the head of state.
The leader confirmed that, of the some 250 passengers on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in serious condition. The official added plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those affected.
Key Undertaking of Previous Administration
The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone public works project of the immediate past president, whose term concluded the prior year. This rail line was intimately linked to his leadership's strategic goals for the southern region.
Another massive railway undertaking from that era, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the wider plan to revitalize the economic fortunes of a relatively less developed part of the country.
Construction Oversight and Worries
The development of both train projects was managed by the army, marking a significant increase of its duties in public projects. They were executed at an rapid speed, beating predictions to be partially opened before the end of that government.
However, this fast-paced schedule had concurrently fueled significant questions over construction quality.
- Sunday's crash was the third event on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This involves an earlier collision this month when a train hit a truck at a railroad crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-deadly derailments.
Calls for Investigation and Halt
In the wake of the catastrophe, the head of a major opposition party urged an immediate halt in the development and management of all comparable projects.
This stoppage was suggested until the completion of a comprehensive independent investigation. The party stated that the loss of life "demands prompt explanations."
In reply, the president insisted that the train had been functioning in total accordance with all security protocols. Promises were given that the government would remain "accountable" in both the construction and management of these vital initiatives.
