No fewer than thirteen passengers perish and ninety-eight hurt in rail accident in Mexico.

A deadly train crash in the southern state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite critical opposition regarding the rapidity and execution of the country's major infrastructure initiatives.

The accident took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a line developed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was intended to offer an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, intended to promote economic development in the area.

“We will rigorously clarify the reasons behind this accident,” declared the country's president.

The president confirmed that, of the approximately 250 passengers on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in grave condition. The leader noted plans to visit Oaxaca to meet those involved.

Flagship Project of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone infrastructure project of the former leader, whose term finished the year before. This project was a hallmark of his government's strategic agenda for the southern region.

Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that period, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the wider plan to stimulate the economic fortunes of a relatively disadvantaged part of the country.

Project Execution and Worries

The building of both rail lines was supervised by the nation's military, marking a dramatic expansion of its responsibilities in public projects. They were built at an fast-tracked pace, defying expectations to be at least partly opened before the end of that presidency.

However, this fast-paced schedule had also sparked persistent apprehensions over construction quality.

• Sunday's crash was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This involves an earlier crash this month when a train smashed into a truck at a level crossing.
• The other major rail project has also seen several non-deadly derailments.

Demands for Review and Suspension

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the chief of a key rival party demanded an urgent halt in the building and running of all such projects.

This stoppage was suggested until the completion of a full independent investigation. The party declared that the situation "calls for prompt explanations."

In response, the national leader insisted that the train had been running in full compliance with all safety requirements. Promises were given that the government would remain "diligent" in both the construction and operation of these national projects.