At least 90 people were injured on Friday when a passenger train collided with an empty boxcar in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The incident highlighted concerns about the country's rail safety, as Argentina has experienced a string of deadly train crashes in recent years.
Buenos Aires, Argentina (May 10, 2024) - A passenger train carrying hundreds of commuters derailed in Buenos Aires on Friday, leaving 90 people injured, authorities said. The collision with an empty boxcar on the tracks has reignited questions about Argentina's railway safety.
The train, en route from Buenos Aires to the northern suburbs, struck the boxcar around 10:30 a.m. on a bridge in the trendy neighborhood of Palermo. Officials are investigating why the empty car was on the rails at the time.
"There is not enough information about the mechanics of this accident," Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri said from the crash site.
Dozens of injured passengers were treated at the scene, with 30 taken to hospitals in moderate to serious condition. At least two victims suffered chest trauma and broken bones and were airlifted by helicopter. Rescuers with police dogs helped 90 people trapped in the wreckage, according to Alberto Crescenti, director of the city's emergency service.
Passengers described a chilling sequence of events before the derailment. The train had stopped on the bridge for several minutes before starting up again and slamming violently into the boxcar, jolting passengers and veering off the rails in a jumble of sparks and smoke.
Officials at Trenes Argentinos, the Argentine rail authority, have suspended service on the popular rail line and are securing the area. They have urged residents to avoid the crash site to allow emergency responders to work.
The collision has brought increased scrutiny to rail safety in Argentina, where a string of train crashes from 2012 to 2014 left over 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Investigations revealed outdated infrastructure, delays, and human error left the railway system vulnerable to accidents, leading the government to invest in new safety and braking systems.
However, Friday's derailment has raised questions about whether these measures have been effective in preventing accidents. Transportation officials have promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and pledged to implement any necessary safety improvements.
In the meantime, the injured passengers are receiving medical attention, and authorities are working to clear the wreckage and restore rail services. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in the country's transportation infrastructure.
