No fewer than thirteen passengers killed and ninety-eight hurt in train crash in Mexico.

A deadly train derailment in the southern state of Oaxaca has caused the fatalities of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite critical opposition regarding the pace and management of the country's key government projects.

The disaster took place on the Interoceanic Train, a line developed to join the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was intended to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, intended to promote commercial progress in the area.

“We shall thoroughly investigate what caused this accident,” affirmed the national leader.

The official reported that, of the around 250 passengers on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in critical condition. The leader noted plans to visit Oaxaca to confer with those impacted.

Major Initiative of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a signature public works project of the former leader, whose presidency ended the previous year. This venture was closely associated with his administration's strategic goals for the southern region.

Another massive rail project from that period, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the broader strategy to stimulate the economy of a historically disadvantaged part of the country.

Construction Oversight and Worries

The development of both train projects was supervised by the nation's military, marking a notable expansion of its duties in national projects. They were executed at an accelerated rate, defying predictions to be partially launched before the end of that government.

However, this rushed timetable had concurrently sparked persistent apprehensions over construction quality.

• Sunday's accident was the third event on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
• This encompasses an previous crash this month when a train smashed into a truck at a crossing.
• The other major rail project has also had two non-lethal derailments.

Calls for Investigation and Halt

In the wake of the catastrophe, the chief of a primary political opposition demanded an urgent halt in the building and running of all comparable projects.

This pause was requested until the completion of a comprehensive safety audit. The party emphasized that the loss of life "demands immediate answers."

In response, the president maintained that the train had been operating in full adherence to all operational standards. Assurances were given that the government would remain "responsible" in both the development and management of these vital initiatives.