ARGENTINA: Government takes temporary control of commuter train lines after 51 people were killed and more than 700 injured in a train accident in Buenos Aires last week

Record ID: 446829

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Government takes temporary control of commuter train lines after 51 people were killed and more than 700 injured in a train accident in Buenos Aires last week
  • Date: 29th February 2012
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (RECENT) (REUTERS) PASSENGERS PASSING THROUGH TICKET BARRIERS VARIOUS OF TRAIN WRECKAGE
  • Embargoed: 15th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina, Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Accidents,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7H0NVML4EWSW4O1BZEPS1C5RL
  • Story Text: After a tragic train accident claimed the lives of 51 passengers and injured more than 700 others last week, the Argentine Planning Minister confirmed Tuesday (February 28) the government would take temporary control of the TBA commuter lines.
    The packed commuter train, carrying as many as 1,500 passengers in an 8-car train, entered a Buenos Aires station at 26 kilometres per hour (16 mph) during last Wednesday's (February 22) morning rush hour and ploughed into the barriers causing the South American country's worst rail disaster in three decades.
    The force of the collision propelled the second train car inside the first carriage, trapping dozens of people in the wreckage alongside the busy platforms at Once station.
    Officials said faulty brakes were suspected of causing the accident and witnesses said the train hurtled into the buffers.
    Argentina's rail services are run by private companies with hefty state subsidies and TBA, the company holding the Sarmiento line concession involved in the accident, is under state investigation.
    Minister of Planning and Public Investment Julio de Vido, said on Tuesday (February 28), the government was stepping in temporarily to ensure the railways remain open and are safe for passengers.
    "This interventional measure, which is temporary and precautionary (while the case is tried in court) is being taken in the public's interest. It is to guarantee a train service for passengers and fundamentally to ensure the safety conditions for riders and of course, regularity (of schedules) for the users and the train service. Some of those were not met under the previous management which was warned and sanctioned," de Vido said.
    On Monday, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said she was ready and willing to step in when necessary once the judiciary concluded the investigation.
    "To the 40 million Argentines, to those who love me and those who don't love me; know that I am going to take the necessary actions once the justice department makes its decision," Fernandez said.
    The deadly crash has fuelled criticism of the country's dilapidated and overcrowded rail services which are prone to accidents and delays.
    Argentina's once-extensive rail network was largely dismantled during privatizations in the 1990s.
    De Vido said the justice department would determine what caused the accident before further action is taken against TBA.
    The take-over measure will last at least 15 days or until there is a court ruling on the matter and can be extended if the government sees it necessary.
    Some 10 million passengers travel every month on the Sarmiento line, which links Buenos Aires to its western suburbs. It was the scene of another crash in September, when two commuter trains smashed into a city bus, killing 11 people.
    Months earlier, four people died during another rail crash.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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