No fewer than 13 individuals killed and ninety-eight injured in train crash in Mexico.

A tragic train derailment in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident sure to fuel opposition criticisms regarding the speed and handling of the country's key infrastructure initiatives.

The disaster took place on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a route developed to link the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was intended to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving regional growth in the area.

“We shall thoroughly investigate what caused this accident,” affirmed the national leader.

The official confirmed that, of the approximately 250 people on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in critical condition. The official added plans to visit Oaxaca to speak with those impacted.

Key Undertaking of Former Government

The Interoceanic Train was a central infrastructure project of the former leader, whose term finished the previous year. This rail line was a hallmark of his administration's developmental goals for the southern region.

Another multi-billion dollar railway undertaking 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 relatively less developed part of the country.

Project Execution and Worries

The building of both railway systems was supervised by the nation's military, marking a significant expansion of its responsibilities in public works. They were executed at an accelerated pace, beating expectations to be at least partly launched before the end of that administration.

However, this accelerated timeline had simultaneously fueled significant questions over construction quality.

• Sunday's crash was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This includes an previous collision this month when a train smashed into a truck at a crossing.
• The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-lethal derailments.

Calls for Review and Suspension

In the wake of the catastrophe, the leader of a key rival party called for an prompt halt in the building and running of all comparable projects.

This stoppage was suggested until the completion of a full independent investigation. The party emphasized that the tragedy "requires immediate answers."

In reply, the national leader maintained that the train had been operating in total accordance with all operational standards. Commitments were given that the government would be "accountable" in both the construction and running of these national initiatives.