A tragic railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive censure from critics regarding the pace and execution of the country's flagship infrastructure initiatives.
The crash happened on the Interoceanic Corridor train, a rail link developed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to provide an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, with the goal of spurring regional growth in the area.
“We are going to meticulously determine the cause of this incident,” affirmed the head of state.
The president announced that, of the some 250 individuals on board, another 98 were injured, with five of those in grave condition. The president stated plans to travel to Oaxaca to confer with those involved.
Major Initiative of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a signature development scheme of the immediate past president, whose time in office concluded the year before. This venture was a hallmark of his government's strategic vision for the southeastern region.
Another multi-billion dollar rail project from that period, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the wider plan to kickstart the economy of a historically less developed part of the country.
Construction Oversight and Worries
The development of both rail lines was supervised by the nation's military, marking a dramatic increase of its role in public infrastructure. They were executed at an fast-tracked rate, beating forecasts to be at least partly launched before the end of that government.
However, this rushed timetable had also raised significant apprehensions over operational security.
- Sunday's accident was the third occurrence on the Interoceanic Train this year.
- This involves an earlier accident this month when a train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had several non-deadly derailments.
Demands for Audit and Pause
In the wake of the catastrophe, the head of a major opposition party demanded an prompt halt in the development and management of all comparable projects.
This pause was suggested while awaiting a thorough independent investigation. The party declared that the situation "demands prompt explanations."
In reaction, the head of state asserted that the train had been operating in complete adherence to all safety requirements. Commitments were given that the government would be "responsible" in both the construction and running of these national initiatives.
