Mexican authorities have reported that a train derailment accident in the southwestern area of Oaxaca has resulted in at least 13 deaths and almost 100 injuries. The train was at a curve, just at the moment when its cars near Nizanda town slipped off the rails.

The train that connects the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic one and is operated by the navy took off from the Salina Cruz port on the Pacific coast to Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf coast with a load of 241 passengers plus 9 crew. Of those who suffered injuries, 98 individuals were treated, 36 of them being admitted to the hospital, and 5 reportedly being in critical condition, according to the Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum.

The images of the accident site show the emergency responders helping the passengers as the train has been partly tipped over the edge of the cliff. At the same time, the top officials of the government including the Secretary of the Navy made the trip to the site to manage the response the way they thought best. The Attorney General of Mexico has further confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the train derailment accident.

Salomón Jara Cruz, the Governor of Oaxaca, showed his “profound sorrow” regarding the incident and added that the local government was rendering support to the federal authorities in dealing with both the victims and their families.

The Interoceanic railway, inaugurated two years ago by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was supposed to modernize the current track spanning across the Tehuantepec Isthmus. The initiative is geared towards economically empowering the region through the establishment of a trade corridor with the land, sea, and industrial support infrastructure of modern ports, railways, and industries. The service also forms part of Mexico’s grander plan to push for passenger and freight rail in the south, thus improving connectivity and bringing about the desired economic growth.