A fatal railway accident in the Mexican 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 key infrastructure initiatives.
The accident happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a line built to join the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was intended to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving economic development in the area.
“We shall thoroughly investigate the reasons behind this incident,” stated the country's president.
The leader announced that, of the around 250 people on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in critical condition. The leader stated plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those affected.
Flagship Project of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a signature public works project of the previous administration, whose presidency ended the year before. This rail line was a hallmark of his government's strategic vision 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 kickstart the economic fortunes of a relatively less developed part of the country.
Project Execution and Worries
The construction of both train projects was supervised by the armed forces, marking a notable expansion of its responsibilities in public works. They were completed at an rapid rate, defying forecasts to be partially launched before the end of that presidency.
However, this fast-paced schedule had also sparked ongoing apprehensions over construction quality.
- Sunday's crash was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This involves an prior collision this month when a train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-lethal derailments.
Calls for Investigation and Halt
In the wake of the catastrophe, the head of a major opposition party demanded an prompt suspension in the development and management of all similar projects.
This pause was suggested until the completion of a full independent investigation. The party emphasized that the situation "requires swift accountability."
In reply, the president insisted that the train had been running in complete accordance with all safety requirements. Commitments were given that the government would continue to be "accountable" in both the development and management of these vital projects.
