A fatal train derailment in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive critical opposition regarding the rapidity and management of the country's major government projects.
The disaster took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a route built to join the Atlantic and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was created to establish an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, intended to promote regional growth in the area.
“We will thoroughly investigate what caused this tragedy,” affirmed the national leader.
The president announced that, of the approximately 250 passengers on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in serious condition. The president added plans to travel to Oaxaca to meet those impacted.
Major Initiative of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a signature development scheme of the previous administration, whose time in office finished the previous year. This venture was closely associated with his leadership's strategic agenda for the southern region.
Another massive rail project 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 historically less developed part of the country.
Project Execution and Safety Concerns
The building of both railway systems was supervised by the armed forces, marking a dramatic increase of its role in civilian works. They were completed at an rapid rate, beating forecasts to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that administration.
However, this rushed timetable had also fueled ongoing questions over safety standards.
- Sunday's accident was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This includes an earlier crash this month when a train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing.
- The other major rail project has also experienced a couple of non-deadly derailments.
Calls for Review and Suspension
In the aftermath of the disaster, the head of a primary political opposition urged an urgent suspension in the construction and operation of all similar projects.
This stoppage was requested while awaiting a full independent investigation. The party declared that the situation "calls for prompt explanations."
In reply, the president asserted that the train had been functioning in total adherence to all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would continue to be "responsible" in both the development and management of these national undertakings.
