48 killed, hundreds injured in Argentinian train crash

New York Statesman (IANS) Wednesday 22nd February, 2012

At least 48 people were killed and hundreds wounded Wednesday in a commuter train crash at one of the three busiest stations in Argentine capital Buenos Aires, BBC reported, quoting the police.

Local reporters said they saw 12 bodies removed from the wreckage, with dozens of people still trapped.

The accident occurred as the train slammed into a barrier, located at the end of the platform at the Once station in the west of the city.

The commuter train hit the barrier, destroying the front of the engine and crunching the carriages behind it, said transportation secretary J.P. Schiavi.

One of the carriages was driven nearly six metres into the next, he added.

"There are people still trapped, people alive," Schiavi said in the afternoon.

According to the Spanish news agency EFE, Argentine officials said the train crashed and derailed at one of the three busiest stations in Buenos Aires.

"The train was travelling at 26 kilometres per hour and apparently experienced some type of failure in the brake system," said the transportation secretary.

"Everything is on video, which will facilitate the investigation," Schiavi said.

The accident happened when the train, packed with passengers, was unable to stop on arrival at station 11 and hit the shock absorbers at the end of the platform, said a witness.

Survivors told the TeleNoticias channel that many people had been injured in a jumble of metal and glass.