No fewer than 13 people lose their lives and 98 injured in train derailment in the nation of Mexico.

A fatal train crash in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive critical opposition regarding the rapidity and handling of the country's flagship public works projects.

The accident happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a route developed to join the Atlantic 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 will rigorously clarify the cause of this accident,” stated the head of state.

The official announced that, of the some 250 people on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in serious condition. The leader stated plans to go to Oaxaca to confer with those impacted.

Flagship Project of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a central infrastructure project of the immediate past president, whose term finished the prior year. This venture was closely associated with his leadership's developmental agenda for the southeastern region.

Another massive train initiative from that era, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the wider plan to kickstart the economy of a historically disadvantaged part of the country.

Project Execution and Risks Apprehensions

The building of both train projects was supervised by the armed forces, marking a dramatic expansion of its duties in civilian works. They were built at an fast-tracked rate, beating forecasts to be at least partly launched before the end of that administration.

However, this rushed timetable had also sparked persistent concerns over safety standards.

• Sunday's crash was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This involves an earlier collision this month when a train hit a truck at a level crossing.
• The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-fatal derailments.

Demands for Review and Suspension

In the wake of the catastrophe, the chief of a key rival party urged an urgent pause in the construction and operation of all comparable projects.

This stoppage was requested pending a thorough technical review. The party declared that the loss of life "calls for immediate answers."

In reaction, the president maintained that the train had been functioning in full adherence to all security protocols. Promises were given that the government would be "diligent" in both the construction and operation of these strategic initiatives.