No fewer than thirteen people killed and 98 hurt in rail accident in Mexico.

A fatal railway accident in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has caused the fatalities of at least 13 people, an incident sure to fuel opposition criticisms regarding the pace and management of the country's major public works projects.

The crash happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link developed to connect the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This endeavor was intended to provide an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, intended to promote economic development in the area.

“We are going to meticulously determine the cause of this accident,” stated the country's president.

The official announced that, of the around 250 passengers on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in critical condition. The leader noted plans to travel to Oaxaca to meet those affected.

Key Undertaking of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a signature infrastructure project of the previous administration, whose term finished the year before. 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 integral to the comprehensive effort to kickstart the economy of a comparatively disadvantaged part of the country.

Building Management and Safety Concerns

The building of both train projects was supervised by the nation's military, marking a dramatic expansion of its duties in public infrastructure. They were executed at an accelerated speed, surpassing predictions to be partially opened before the end of that presidency.

However, this accelerated timeline had simultaneously sparked ongoing apprehensions over construction quality.

• Sunday's derailment was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This involves an prior collision this month when a train hit a truck at a level crossing.
• The other major rail project has also experienced several non-deadly derailments.

Calls for Review and Suspension

In the wake of the catastrophe, the leader of a major opposition party called for an urgent pause in the development and management of all similar projects.

This halt was suggested pending a comprehensive safety audit. The party emphasized that the situation "calls for swift accountability."

In reply, the national leader asserted that the train had been operating in complete compliance with all security protocols. Commitments were given that the government would be "responsible" in both the development and management of these national undertakings.