A fatal railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive censure from critics regarding the rapidity and handling of the country's flagship infrastructure initiatives.
The disaster happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link developed to link the Atlantic and Pacific across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was intended to establish an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area.
“We are going to rigorously clarify the cause of this accident,” declared the national leader.
The official confirmed that, of the approximately 250 people on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in grave condition. The official noted plans to visit Oaxaca to confer with those involved.
Major Initiative of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a central infrastructure project of the immediate past president, whose time in office ended the year before. This venture was closely associated with his leadership's strategic agenda for the southeastern region.
Another massive rail project from that era, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the broader strategy to revitalize the economy of a relatively poorer part of the country.
Building Management and Risks Apprehensions
The development of both train projects was supervised by the army, marking a notable expansion of its responsibilities in national projects. They were built at an accelerated rate, defying expectations to be partially inaugurated before the end of that government.
However, this accelerated timeline had also raised persistent concerns over operational security.
- Sunday's accident was the third event on the Interoceanic Train this year.
- This involves an earlier collision this month when a train hit a truck at a railroad crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had several non-deadly derailments.
Appeals for Review and Suspension
In the wake of the disaster, the chief of a primary political opposition called for an prompt halt in the building and running of all similar projects.
This stoppage was proposed until the completion of a full independent investigation. The party stated that the loss of life "calls for prompt explanations."
In response, the head of state asserted that the train had been operating in total compliance with all operational standards. Promises were given that the government would be "responsible" in both the construction and management of these vital initiatives.
