🔗 Share this article A minimum of 13 passengers killed and 98 injured in train derailment in Mexico. A fatal train derailment in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident sure to fuel censure from critics regarding the speed and handling of the country's major infrastructure initiatives. The crash took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a route developed to link the Atlantic and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was designed to establish an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring commercial progress in the area. “We are going to rigorously clarify the cause of this accident,” stated the country's president. The official confirmed that, of the approximately 250 individuals on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in critical condition. The official noted plans to go to Oaxaca to speak with those involved. Flagship Project of Previous Administration The Interoceanic Train was a signature public works project of the previous administration, whose presidency concluded the previous year. This project was closely associated with his government's strategic agenda for the southeastern region. Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that period, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the comprehensive effort to stimulate the economic fortunes of a historically disadvantaged part of the country. Project Execution and Risks Apprehensions The building of both train projects was managed by the armed forces, marking a dramatic growth of its duties in civilian projects. They were executed at an rapid rate, beating expectations to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that administration. However, this fast-paced schedule had also sparked ongoing apprehensions over safety standards. Sunday's crash 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 seen a couple of non-lethal derailments. Demands for Investigation and Halt In the wake of the tragedy, the chief of a major opposition party urged an immediate suspension in the building and running of all similar projects. This halt was proposed pending a full independent investigation. The party stated that the tragedy "demands swift accountability." In response, the head of state insisted that the train had been running in total compliance with all operational standards. Assurances were given that the government would continue to be "diligent" in both the construction and management of these national projects.
A fatal train derailment in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident sure to fuel censure from critics regarding the speed and handling of the country's major infrastructure initiatives. The crash took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a route developed to link the Atlantic and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was designed to establish an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring commercial progress in the area. “We are going to rigorously clarify the cause of this accident,” stated the country's president. The official confirmed that, of the approximately 250 individuals on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in critical condition. The official noted plans to go to Oaxaca to speak with those involved. Flagship Project of Previous Administration The Interoceanic Train was a signature public works project of the previous administration, whose presidency concluded the previous year. This project was closely associated with his government's strategic agenda for the southeastern region. Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that period, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the comprehensive effort to stimulate the economic fortunes of a historically disadvantaged part of the country. Project Execution and Risks Apprehensions The building of both train projects was managed by the armed forces, marking a dramatic growth of its duties in civilian projects. They were executed at an rapid rate, beating expectations to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that administration. However, this fast-paced schedule had also sparked ongoing apprehensions over safety standards. Sunday's crash 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 seen a couple of non-lethal derailments. Demands for Investigation and Halt In the wake of the tragedy, the chief of a major opposition party urged an immediate suspension in the building and running of all similar projects. This halt was proposed pending a full independent investigation. The party stated that the tragedy "demands swift accountability." In response, the head of state insisted that the train had been running in total compliance with all operational standards. Assurances were given that the government would continue to be "diligent" in both the construction and management of these national projects.