Train in Argentina hits boxcar, injures dozens
BUENOS AIRES: At least 90 people were injured in Argentina’s capital when a passenger train struck an empty boxcar on the tracks and derailed on Friday, authorities said, a rare collision that fuelled questions about basic safety. The train was on its way from Buenos Aires to the northern suburbs when it derailed around 10:30 am on a bridge in the trendy neighbourhood of Palermo, safety officials said.
While it was not immediately clear why the idled boxcar had been on the bridge, Argentina’s railway union said several metres of copper cable used to carry power along the tracks had been stolen from the railway, disabling the signalling system intended to prevent such accidents. Union leaders fiercely opposed to libertarian President Javier Milei’s economic austerity blamed the government for its failure to invest in public infrastructure.
“We have been demanding for 10 days that the stolen signalling cables be repaired,” rail union leader Omar Maturano told the country’s independent Radio Con Vos station. “The government said there was no money for spare parts.” Prosecutors said they were investigating.
Dozens of injured were treated at the scene and 30 people taken to hospitals in moderate to serious condition, at least two by helicopter with chest trauma and broken bones.