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Argentina train crash in Buenos Aires 'kills dozens' | Argentina train crash in Buenos Aires 'kills dozens' |
(40 minutes later) | |
A train crash at a station in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, has killed 49 people with at least 600 more injured, officials say. | |
The train slammed into the barrier at the end of the platform at the Once station during the morning rush hour. | The train slammed into the barrier at the end of the platform at the Once station during the morning rush hour. |
"We assume that there was some fault in the brakes", Transportation Secretary JP Schiavi said. | "We assume that there was some fault in the brakes", Transportation Secretary JP Schiavi said. |
Eyewitnesses said the train was travelling fast. Dozens of people remain trapped. | Eyewitnesses said the train was travelling fast. Dozens of people remain trapped. |
"The train was full and the impact was tremendous," a passenger identified as Ezequiel told local television. | "The train was full and the impact was tremendous," a passenger identified as Ezequiel told local television. |
Medics at the scene were overwhelmed by the casualties, he added. | Medics at the scene were overwhelmed by the casualties, he added. |
"People started to break windows and get out however they could," another eyewitness told Reuters. | "People started to break windows and get out however they could," another eyewitness told Reuters. |
"Then I saw the engine destroyed and the train driver trapped amongst the steel. There were a lot of people hurt, a lot of kids, elderly," the eyewitness added. | "Then I saw the engine destroyed and the train driver trapped amongst the steel. There were a lot of people hurt, a lot of kids, elderly," the eyewitness added. |
The train had hit the barrier at about 12mph (20km/h), destroying the front of the engine and crunching the carriages behind it, Mr Schiavi said. | The train had hit the barrier at about 12mph (20km/h), destroying the front of the engine and crunching the carriages behind it, Mr Schiavi said. |
One of the carriages was driven nearly 6m (20ft) into the next, he said. | One of the carriages was driven nearly 6m (20ft) into the next, he said. |
Emergency workers are working to extract dozens of people trapped inside the first car, said health official Alberto Crescenti. | Emergency workers are working to extract dozens of people trapped inside the first car, said health official Alberto Crescenti. |
Survivors told local media that many people had been injured in a jumble of metal and glass. | Survivors told local media that many people had been injured in a jumble of metal and glass. |
Some suffered fractures and other serious injuries. | Some suffered fractures and other serious injuries. |
Many parts of Argentina's rail network are antiquated and in need of repair, the BBC's Vladimir Hernandez in Buenos Aires reports. | |
Several similar accidents have occurred in recent years. | |
In September 2011, 11 people died when a commuter train in Buenos Aires hit a bus crossing the tracks and then hit a second train coming into a station. | In September 2011, 11 people died when a commuter train in Buenos Aires hit a bus crossing the tracks and then hit a second train coming into a station. |
This latest accident is Argentina's worst train crash since 1970. | |
Are you in Argentina? Did you witness the train crash? Please get in contact using the form below. | Are you in Argentina? Did you witness the train crash? Please get in contact using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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