At least 13 passengers perish and 98 injured in rail accident in the nation of Mexico.

A fatal railway accident in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has caused the fatalities of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive censure from critics regarding the rapidity and execution of the country's major government projects.

The disaster occurred on the Interoceanic Train, a line built to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This endeavor was created to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving regional growth in the area.

“We shall thoroughly investigate the cause of this accident,” affirmed the national leader.

The leader reported that, of the around 250 individuals on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in serious condition. The president added plans to travel to Oaxaca to confer with those affected.

Flagship Project of Previous Administration

The Interoceanic Train was a signature infrastructure project of the former leader, whose term finished the previous year. This venture was closely associated with his leadership's economic goals for the southern region.

Another ambitious rail project from that period, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the wider plan to kickstart the economic fortunes of a relatively less developed part of the country.

Project Execution and Worries

The building of both railway systems was managed by the army, marking a notable increase of its role in national works. They were built at an fast-tracked rate, defying predictions to be partially inaugurated before the end of that government.

However, this fast-paced schedule had simultaneously sparked ongoing apprehensions over construction quality.

• Sunday's accident was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
• This encompasses an earlier accident this month when a train hit a truck at a railroad crossing.
• The other major rail project has also seen a couple of non-fatal derailments.

Calls for Review and Suspension

In the aftermath of the disaster, the leader of a key rival party urged an immediate suspension in the construction and operation of all similar projects.

This pause was proposed while awaiting a comprehensive independent investigation. The party declared that the loss of life "calls for prompt explanations."

In response, the national leader maintained that the train had been running in complete accordance with all security protocols. Promises were given that the government would be "diligent" in both the development and operation of these national projects.