No fewer than thirteen passengers lose their lives and 98 hurt in train crash in Mexico.

A tragic train crash 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 pace and handling of the country's key 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 designed to provide an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, intended to promote regional growth in the area.

“We are going to meticulously determine the reasons behind this incident,” declared the national leader.

The leader reported that, of the around 250 individuals on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in grave condition. The official stated plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those involved.

Major Initiative of Previous Administration

The Interoceanic Train was a signature public works project of the former leader, whose time in office finished the year before. This venture was intimately linked to his leadership's economic goals for the southeastern region.

Another multi-billion dollar railway undertaking from that era, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the comprehensive effort to kickstart the economy of a relatively poorer part of the country.

Construction Oversight and Safety Concerns

The construction of both train projects was overseen by the nation's military, marking a significant increase of its responsibilities in public infrastructure. They were executed at an accelerated rate, defying forecasts to be partially inaugurated before the end of that presidency.

However, this fast-paced schedule had also raised ongoing concerns over construction quality.

• Sunday's crash was the third event on the Interoceanic Train within the past twelve months.
• This encompasses an prior collision this month when a train smashed into a truck at a level crossing.
• The other major rail project has also had two non-deadly derailments.

Calls for Investigation and Halt

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the chief of a key rival party urged an urgent suspension in the construction and operation of all comparable projects.

This halt was requested pending a comprehensive technical review. The party declared that the situation "calls for immediate answers."

In reply, the president asserted that the train had been functioning in complete compliance with all safety requirements. Promises were given that the government would be "responsible" in both the construction and running of these strategic undertakings.