Two days have passed since the collapse of Metro Line 12, and the death toll has risen to twenty-five. The front pages of all the newspapers and the tabloids this morning were still all about the tragedy.
Justice!
"There will be punishment for those responsible
for the collapse of Line 12":
Claudia Sheinbaum, Chief of Government
(We might think of Claudia Sheinbaum as the mayor of Mexico City, but since Mexico City has attained the status of a state, her position is more like that of a governor.)
Line 12: Poorly constructed, damaged by the earthquake,
without maintenance...
Sheinbaum: we'll get to the bottom of the Metro tragedy
Prolonging the Pain
Ignored by the authorities,
families travel hours in search of their relatives
French company TSO
hid flaws in Line 12
(So will they end up blaming the French railroad company that built the line and absolving Mexican politicians of responsibility?)
Immense pain
It will be interesting to see what political ramifications this tragedy has. Line 12, the newest of the Metro lines, was a mess from its very beginning with cost overruns, construction delays, and charges of corruption and design flaws. In 2014, just seventeen months after its inauguration, the line had to be closed for months for repairs. The mayor of Mexico City at the time, Marcelo Ebrard, saw his political prospects go down the tubes because of the Line 12 scandals. That is, until his friend, current President López Obrador, appointed him Secretary of Foreign Relations in 2018. Ebrard has been touted as a top contender for the Presidential election of 2024. Regardless of who gets the blame, this disaster may stir up memories of Ebrard's role in Line 12 and dampen his Presidential chances.
Truly sad stuff.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. One would hope that this tragedy would have a silver lining and lead to stricter rules on construction and maintenance, but I have my doubts.
Delete