A minimum of 13 people perish and ninety-eight wounded in train crash in the nation of Mexico.

A fatal train derailment in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident expected to reignite opposition criticisms regarding the pace and execution of the country's major government projects.

The disaster happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a line constructed to connect the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was created to offer an different freight railway path to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving commercial progress in the area.

“We shall rigorously clarify what caused this tragedy,” affirmed the head of state.

The president confirmed that, of the around 250 individuals on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in serious condition. The official noted plans to go to Oaxaca to meet those involved.

Key Undertaking of Past Leadership

The Interoceanic Train was a signature public works project of the former leader, whose term concluded the prior year. This rail line was a hallmark of his administration's economic goals for the southern region.

Another multi-billion dollar train initiative from that period, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the wider plan to kickstart the economy of a historically less developed part of the country.

Construction Oversight and Risks Apprehensions

The building of both train projects was overseen by the army, marking a significant increase of its role in national works. They were built at an fast-tracked pace, defying forecasts to be at least partly inaugurated before the end of that administration.

However, this rushed timetable had concurrently sparked significant questions over operational security.

• Sunday's derailment was the third such incident on the Interoceanic Train this year.
• This involves an earlier accident this month when a train hit a truck at a railroad crossing.
• The other major rail project has also experienced two non-lethal derailments.

Calls for Investigation and Halt

In the wake of the catastrophe, the head of a major opposition party called for an immediate halt in the building and running of all such projects.

This pause was requested pending a comprehensive independent investigation. The party stated that the loss of life "demands prompt explanations."

In response, the national leader maintained that the train had been running in total compliance with all safety requirements. Promises were given that the government would continue to be "responsible" in both the construction and operation of these strategic projects.