No fewer than 13 people lose their lives and ninety-eight injured in rail accident in Mexico.

A fatal train derailment in the southern state of Oaxaca has caused the fatalities of at least 13 people, an incident sure to fuel critical opposition regarding the speed and execution of the country's key public works projects.

The accident occurred on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a line developed to join the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring economic development in the area.

“We shall rigorously clarify the cause of this incident,” stated the national leader.

The leader confirmed that, of the around 250 people on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in grave condition. The leader noted plans to visit Oaxaca to confer with those impacted.

Key Undertaking of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a central development scheme of the previous administration, whose term ended the previous year. This project was intimately linked to his leadership's strategic 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 comprehensive effort to kickstart the economy of a historically less developed part of the country.

Project Execution and Worries

The construction of both railway systems was overseen by the army, marking a notable increase of its duties in national projects. They were built at an rapid speed, surpassing forecasts to be partially inaugurated before the end of that presidency.

However, this rushed timetable had concurrently raised significant apprehensions over safety standards.

• Sunday's derailment was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This includes an earlier collision this month when a train struck a truck at a level crossing.
• The other major rail project has also had several non-deadly derailments.

Demands for Investigation and Halt

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the chief of a major opposition party demanded an urgent suspension in the building and running of all comparable projects.

This stoppage was requested pending a comprehensive independent investigation. The party stated that the tragedy "demands swift accountability."

In response, the national leader maintained 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 running of these national projects.