Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Delayed commuters in Argentina set fire to trains

Train passengers in Argentina furious about delays to their journeys have set fire to three commuter trains. Firefighters and police were called out to deal with disturbances at three busy railway stations near the capital, Buenos Aires. Police say at least eight carriages were burnt.

The trouble started during the Monday morning rush hour as suburban office workers embarked on their daily commute to the capital city. A derailed train caused severe delays along the busy rail link. Stranded passengers then set fire to at least eight wagons at three stations along the railway line.


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The first such disturbance happened at the Haedo rail station. The unrest quickly spread from the Haedo stop to the neighbouring stations of Ramos Mejia and Cuidadela. Firefighters complained that the angry passengers were trying to obstruct their work when they arrived at the scene. Witnesses said the fire brigade was pelted with large stones.

Trenes de Buenos Aires, which operates the train service, suspects the unrest was a deliberate act of industrial sabotage against the firm. Spokesman Gustavo Gago said: "The near-simultaneous nature of the fires was striking. The fact that security cameras were damaged at all three stations makes one think it was something organised and intentional," he said.

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