No fewer than 13 passengers lose their lives and 98 wounded in train crash in the nation of Mexico.

A fatal train derailment in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite critical opposition regarding the speed and management of the country's major public works projects.

The accident took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link constructed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to provide an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring economic development in the area.

“We are going to rigorously clarify the reasons behind this incident,” stated the country's president.

The president confirmed that, of the approximately 250 people on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in grave condition. The leader added plans to travel to Oaxaca to speak with those affected.

Key Undertaking of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a central infrastructure project of the previous administration, whose term finished the prior year. This project was closely associated with his leadership's developmental agenda for the southern region.

Another multi-billion dollar railway undertaking from that period, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the comprehensive effort to stimulate the economic fortunes of a relatively disadvantaged part of the country.

Project Execution and Worries

The building of both railway systems was managed by the armed forces, marking a significant increase of its responsibilities in public infrastructure. They were executed at an accelerated speed, defying forecasts to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that government.

However, this fast-paced schedule had simultaneously raised persistent apprehensions over construction quality.

• Sunday's accident was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This involves an prior crash this month when a train struck a truck at a crossing.
• The other major rail project has also had two non-lethal derailments.

Demands for Investigation and Halt

In the wake of the disaster, the chief of a major opposition party called for an urgent halt in the building and running of all such projects.

This stoppage was proposed until the completion of a full technical review. The party stated that the loss of life "calls for prompt explanations."

In response, the national leader maintained that the train had been functioning in total accordance with all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would remain "responsible" in both the development and operation of these strategic undertakings.