No fewer than 13 people killed and 98 wounded in train crash in Mexico.

A fatal train crash in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident sure to fuel critical opposition regarding the speed and handling of the country's major government projects.

The disaster took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a route built to join the Atlantic and Pacific across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to provide an different freight railway path to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving economic development in the area.

“We will meticulously determine what caused this accident,” stated the country's president.

The president reported that, of the some 250 individuals on board, another 98 were wounded, with five of those in critical condition. The official stated plans to go to Oaxaca to speak with those affected.

Key Undertaking of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a signature infrastructure project of the former leader, whose presidency concluded the previous year. This project was a hallmark of his leadership's developmental goals for the southeastern region.

Another multi-billion dollar rail project from that period, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the wider plan to stimulate the economic fortunes of a relatively less developed part of the country.

Construction Oversight and Risks Apprehensions

The development of both rail lines was overseen by the nation's military, marking a notable increase of its duties in civilian infrastructure. They were built at an accelerated speed, beating forecasts to be at least partly opened before the end of that government.

However, this fast-paced schedule had also raised persistent questions over construction quality.

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

Calls for Review and Suspension

In the wake of the tragedy, the leader of a major opposition party demanded an prompt suspension in the construction and operation of all similar projects.

This stoppage was suggested pending a full independent investigation. The party declared that the tragedy "requires prompt explanations."

In response, the national leader asserted that the train had been operating in total accordance with all security protocols. Promises were given that the government would remain "accountable" in both the development and management of these national undertakings.