A fatal railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive opposition criticisms regarding the speed and management of the country's flagship public works projects.
The crash took place on the trans-isthmus railway, a line developed to link the Atlantic and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was intended to provide an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, intended to promote regional growth in the area.
“We are going to thoroughly investigate the reasons behind this incident,” stated the national leader.
The official reported that, of the some 250 individuals on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in serious condition. The leader added plans to travel to Oaxaca to meet those affected.
Flagship Project of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone development scheme of the immediate past president, whose term finished the prior year. This project was intimately linked to his administration's developmental vision for the southern region.
Another massive rail project from that time, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the comprehensive effort to revitalize the economy of a historically poorer part of the country.
Construction Oversight and Risks Apprehensions
The building of both train projects was supervised by the army, marking a significant increase of its role in civilian projects. They were completed at an rapid speed, defying predictions to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that government.
However, this fast-paced schedule had simultaneously raised significant apprehensions over safety standards.
- Sunday's derailment was the third event on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This includes an earlier crash this month when a train smashed into a truck at a crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-deadly derailments.
Appeals for Investigation and Halt
In the aftermath of the disaster, the head of a primary political opposition urged an prompt halt in the building and running of all similar projects.
This halt was requested while awaiting a full technical review. The party stated that the tragedy "calls for immediate answers."
In reply, the national leader maintained that the train had been operating in total adherence to all security protocols. Commitments were given that the government would remain "accountable" in both the construction and operation of these national initiatives.