No fewer than thirteen people lose their lives and ninety-eight hurt in train crash in Mexico.

A tragic railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has caused the fatalities of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite censure from critics regarding the pace and handling of the country's flagship infrastructure initiatives.

The disaster happened on the Interoceanic Train, a line developed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was intended to offer an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving economic development in the area.

“We are going to thoroughly investigate the reasons behind this accident,” affirmed the national leader.

The president announced that, of the some 250 individuals on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in serious condition. The official noted plans to visit Oaxaca to speak with those involved.

Major Initiative of Previous Administration

The Interoceanic Train was a central development scheme of the previous administration, whose time in office ended the prior year. This project was a hallmark of his leadership's economic 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 wider plan to kickstart the economy of a relatively less developed part of the country.

Project Execution and Risks Apprehensions

The development of both railway systems was supervised by the armed forces, marking a notable increase of its duties in civilian projects. They were executed at an accelerated pace, surpassing predictions to be at least partly launched before the end of that government.

However, this rushed timetable had also raised persistent concerns over operational security.

• Sunday's accident was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This involves an earlier crash this month when a train hit a truck at a crossing.
• The other major rail project has also seen several non-lethal derailments.

Calls for Audit and Pause

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the head of a primary political opposition called for an prompt halt in the construction and operation of all comparable projects.

This halt was suggested pending a full independent investigation. The party declared that the situation "demands prompt explanations."

In reaction, the head of state insisted that the train had been functioning in full accordance with all security protocols. Assurances were given that the government would remain "accountable" in both the development and running of these strategic undertakings.