State officials said the collision of the two trains killed four people and injured about 120 others, 14 critically. Preliminary investigations revealed that two of the four brakes in the freight train that rammed onto the other train, where “intentionally blocked,” one nailed out of place, one secured with a padlock, suggesting foul play and sabotage.
The accident occurred in the town of San Miguel 18 miles outside of Buenos Aires. According to officials, the Ferrobaires locomotive slammed into the last car of the passenger train, toppling several of the cars onto each other just outside the Retiro station. The train line connects Buenos Aires with the populated north and northwest suburbs.
“I was in my business, more than a block away, when I felt an explosion. I thought it was a bomb, so I came to see. It was terrible, people were screaming,” said Jorge, a local retailer. “When we saw the wounded people, all of us neighbors came out with water tanks to help. There were many people who refused to wait for the ambulances and walked to the hospital”
