A fatal railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite critical opposition regarding the rapidity and handling of the country's major public works projects.
The disaster took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link developed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was intended to offer an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring commercial progress in the area.
“We are going to meticulously determine what caused this incident,” stated the head of state.
The official announced that, of the some 250 passengers on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in grave condition. The leader added plans to go to Oaxaca to meet those impacted.
Flagship Project of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a signature development scheme of the immediate past president, whose term finished the previous year. This rail line was a hallmark of his leadership's economic goals for the southern region.
Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that era, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the wider plan to stimulate the economy of a historically disadvantaged part of the country.
Building Management and Worries
The building of both rail lines was supervised by the nation's military, marking a notable increase of its responsibilities in public works. They were executed at an accelerated speed, defying expectations to be at least partly launched before the end of that presidency.
However, this accelerated timeline had also fueled ongoing concerns over construction quality.
- Sunday's accident was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This encompasses an prior accident this month when a train hit a truck at a crossing.
- The other major rail project has also experienced several non-deadly derailments.
Demands for Audit and Pause
In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the head of a major opposition party demanded an prompt halt in the building and running of all comparable projects.
This pause was requested until the completion of a full safety audit. The party stated that the loss of life "calls for prompt explanations."
In reaction, the national leader asserted that the train had been functioning in full adherence to all security protocols. Assurances were given that the government would be "diligent" in both the construction and management of these national undertakings.
