🔗 Share this article At least 13 people perish and 98 injured in train crash in Mexico. A deadly train crash in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite critical opposition regarding the speed and handling of the country's key government projects. The crash took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link constructed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area. “We shall rigorously clarify the reasons behind this accident,” declared the head of state. The leader announced that, of the some 250 passengers on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in serious condition. The president added plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those involved. Flagship Project of Past Leadership The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone infrastructure project of the immediate past president, whose term ended the prior year. This venture was intimately linked to his leadership's economic agenda for the southern region. Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that time, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the broader strategy to revitalize the economic fortunes of a historically poorer part of the country. Building Management and Worries The construction of both rail lines was managed by the army, marking a significant expansion of its role in civilian infrastructure. They were built at an accelerated pace, beating expectations to be partially launched before the end of that administration. However, this fast-paced schedule had simultaneously raised significant questions over construction quality. Sunday's accident was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train in the current year. This involves an earlier collision this month when a train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing. The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-fatal derailments. Demands for Audit and Pause In the aftermath of the tragedy, the chief of a primary political opposition called for an urgent suspension in the construction and operation of all similar projects. This pause was suggested pending a comprehensive independent investigation. The party stated that the situation "requires immediate answers." In reply, the national leader maintained that the train had been operating in complete compliance with all safety requirements. Promises were given that the government would continue to be "diligent" in both the development and running of these vital projects.
A deadly train crash in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite critical opposition regarding the speed and handling of the country's key government projects. The crash took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link constructed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area. “We shall rigorously clarify the reasons behind this accident,” declared the head of state. The leader announced that, of the some 250 passengers on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in serious condition. The president added plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those involved. Flagship Project of Past Leadership The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone infrastructure project of the immediate past president, whose term ended the prior year. This venture was intimately linked to his leadership's economic agenda for the southern region. Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that time, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the broader strategy to revitalize the economic fortunes of a historically poorer part of the country. Building Management and Worries The construction of both rail lines was managed by the army, marking a significant expansion of its role in civilian infrastructure. They were built at an accelerated pace, beating expectations to be partially launched before the end of that administration. However, this fast-paced schedule had simultaneously raised significant questions over construction quality. Sunday's accident was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train in the current year. This involves an earlier collision this month when a train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing. The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-fatal derailments. Demands for Audit and Pause In the aftermath of the tragedy, the chief of a primary political opposition called for an urgent suspension in the construction and operation of all similar projects. This pause was suggested pending a comprehensive independent investigation. The party stated that the situation "requires immediate answers." In reply, the national leader maintained that the train had been operating in complete compliance with all safety requirements. Promises were given that the government would continue to be "diligent" in both the development and running of these vital projects.