A tragic railway accident in the southern state of Oaxaca has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive opposition criticisms regarding the rapidity and management of the country's flagship government projects.
The disaster occurred on the trans-isthmus railway, a rail link constructed to connect the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific across the thinnest stretch of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This project was designed to offer an competing rail corridor to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving regional growth in the area.
“We are going to meticulously determine what caused this incident,” affirmed the country's president.
The president reported that, of the some 250 people on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in grave condition. The official noted plans to travel to Oaxaca to meet those impacted.
Major Initiative of Past Leadership
The Interoceanic Train was a cornerstone development scheme of the former leader, whose term finished the previous year. This project was intimately linked to his government's strategic agenda for the southern region.
Another multi-billion dollar rail project from that period, a tourist and cargo loop around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also central to the comprehensive effort to kickstart the economic fortunes of a historically less developed part of the country.
Project Execution and Worries
The building of both train projects was overseen by the army, marking a dramatic expansion of its duties in national infrastructure. They were built at an rapid rate, defying predictions to be partially inaugurated before the end of that presidency.
However, this fast-paced schedule had concurrently raised significant apprehensions over construction quality.
- Sunday's derailment was the third event on the Interoceanic Train this year.
- This involves an earlier collision this month when a train hit a truck at a railroad crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-deadly derailments.
Demands for Investigation and Halt
In the wake of the tragedy, the head of a primary political opposition called for an immediate suspension in the construction and operation of all comparable projects.
This stoppage was proposed until the completion of a full technical review. The party declared that the tragedy "requires swift accountability."
In response, the head of state maintained that the train had been functioning in full accordance with all safety requirements. Commitments were given that the government would continue to be "responsible" in both the development and operation of these vital projects.
