At least 13 individuals lose their lives and ninety-eight hurt in train derailment in the nation of Mexico.

A deadly railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has caused the fatalities of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive opposition criticisms regarding the speed and management of the country's key government projects.

The crash took place on the Interoceanic Train, a line developed to join the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was designed to offer an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving economic development in the area.

“We are going to rigorously clarify what caused this accident,” stated the country's president.

The leader announced that, of the some 250 individuals on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in grave condition. The official noted plans to visit Oaxaca to confer with those affected.

Major Initiative of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone public works project of the former leader, whose time in office finished the previous year. This rail line was a hallmark of his government's economic goals for the southern region.

Another massive railway undertaking from that time, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also integral to the wider plan to revitalize the economic fortunes of a relatively less developed part of the country.

Construction Oversight and Worries

The construction of both train projects was managed by the armed forces, marking a notable expansion of its responsibilities in national works. They were executed at an accelerated rate, beating expectations to be at least partly launched before the end of that government.

However, this accelerated timeline had also raised ongoing apprehensions over operational security.

• Sunday's accident was the third event on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This encompasses an earlier accident this month when a train struck a truck at a railroad crossing.
• The other major rail project has also experienced several non-deadly derailments.

Demands for Review and Suspension

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

This halt was requested pending a thorough technical review. The party declared that the situation "calls for swift accountability."

In reply, the president insisted that the train had been operating in complete adherence to all operational standards. Assurances were given that the government would remain "diligent" in both the development and running of these strategic initiatives.