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2013 Buenos Aires train crash
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the accident on the same railway line in June 2013 2013 Castelar rail accident
Rail disaster in Argentina
October 2017
2013 Buenos Aires train crash J30 508 Bf Once, hydraulische Prellböcke.jpg 250 Buffer stops of Once station,where the train collided October 19, 2013 07:35 local time (10:35 UTC) Once railway station, Buenos Aires Argentina Moreno–Once Unidad de Gestión Operativa Mitre Sarmiento Collision with buffer stops Under investigation 1 1000 1 0 105 (at least 5 serious)
The Buenos Aires train crash occurred on October 19, 2013 when a passenger train failed to stop at a terminal station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, injuring 105 people. As of October 2013, the causes of the accident were under investigation.
Antecedents
2012 Buenos Aires rail disaster 2013 Castelar rail accident
The Sarmiento Line had similar accidents in the previous months.BBC News Online https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24595870 Argentine train crashes into Buenos Aires Once station October 19, 2013 October 19, 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131019153831/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24595870 October 19, 2013 The 2012 rail disaster took place on February 22, 2012, and caused 52 deaths and 700 injuries. The ensuing political scandal led to the demotion of Transportation Secretary Juan Pablo Schiavi, and a trial for the causes of the accident that is still open.October 19, 2013 http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630631-el-amargo-recuerdo-de-la-peor-tragedia-del-sarmiento-en-once El amargo recuerdo de la peor tragedia del Sarmiento en Once The sad reminder of the worst tragedy of the Sarmiento in Once es La Nación October 19, 2013 October 22, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022070255/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630631-el-amargo-recuerdo-de-la-peor-tragedia-del-sarmiento-en-once live
The line's private operator, TBA, had its concessions to operate the Mitre and Sarmiento lines revoked on May 24, 2012.http://www.clarin.com/politica/Finalmente-Gobierno-concesion-Sarmiento-TBA_0_706129566.html Finalmente, el Gobierno le sacó las concesiones del Sarmiento y del Mitre a TBA Clarín May 24, 2012 October 20, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131020111655/http://www.clarin.com/politica/Finalmente-Gobierno-concesion-Sarmiento-TBA_0_706129566.html Both lines were operated by the private consortium UGOMS at the time of the accident.es http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1631789-de-tba-al-estado-el-derrotero-de-los-operadores-de-la-linea-sarmiento De TBA al Estado, el derrotero de los operadores de la línea Sarmiento From TBA to the state, the misventures of the operators of the Sarmiento line October 23, 2013 La Nación October 24, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131026005254/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1631789-de-tba-al-estado-el-derrotero-de-los-operadores-de-la-linea-sarmiento October 26, 2013
Accident
At 07:35 local time (10:35 UTC),http://www.infonews.com/2013/10/19/sociedad-104095-primeras-imagenes-del-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento.php Primeras imágenes del accidente del tren Sarmiento First images of the Sarmiento train accident Info News es October 19, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131021045344/http://www.infonews.com/2013/10/19/sociedad-104095-primeras-imagenes-del-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento.php October 21, 2013 live a passenger train failed to stop at Once Station in Buenos Aires, colliding with the buffer stop. The lead car jumped the retaining wall and landed on the platform. More than 99 people were reported injured,https://news.yahoo.com/least-79-hurt-buenos-aires-train-accident-172646371.html At least 99 hurt in Buenos Aires train accident Oscar Laski Yahoo! News October 19, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131020075412/http://news.yahoo.com/least-79-hurt-buenos-aires-train-accident-172646371.html October 20, 2013 live five seriously.October 19, 2013 https://www.news.com.au/world/dozens-hurt-in-train-crash-in-buenos-aires-railway-terminal/news-story/601b77fa6975b2edffeec99675555a3b Dozens hurt in train crash in Buenos Aires railway terminal News.com October 20, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131020075412/http://www.news.com.au/world-news/dozens-hurt-in-train-crash-in-buenos-aires-railway-terminal/story-fndir2ev-1226743195129 October 20, 2013 live
The driver, who was among the injured, was confronted by a number of passengers who yelled "Murderer!, Murderer!" at him. He was rescued by police and taken to hospital. The driver, Julio Benítez, was arrested after he was found with the train event recorder hidden in his backpack, The other train's passengers survived when they hear a bang;.http://www.infonews.com/2013/10/19/sociedad-104091-el-motorman-se-llevo-el-disco-rigido-con-las-imagenes-de-la-camara-de-seguridad-del-tren-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento.php El motorman se llevó el disco rígido con las imágenes de la cámara de seguridad del tren The conductor absconded with the train event recorder hard drive Info News October 19, 2013 October 21, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131021045328/http://www.infonews.com/2013/10/19/sociedad-104091-el-motorman-se-llevo-el-disco-rigido-con-las-imagenes-de-la-camara-de-seguridad-del-tren-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento.php October 21, 2013 live The police recovered the hard drive. Benítez had attempted to destroy the device.La Nación es http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630643-el-motorman-robo-el-disco-rigido-de-la-camara-de-seguridad-antes-de-ser-detenido Acusan al motorman de haber robado el disco rígido de la cámara de seguridad de la cabina antes de ser detenido The motorman is accused of stealing the hard drive of the cabin's security camera before being detained October 19, 2013 October 19, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131021031215/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630643-el-motorman-robo-el-disco-rigido-de-la-camara-de-seguridad-antes-de-ser-detenido October 21, 2013
A minor riot broke out outside the station, which was quelled by the police.https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/10/19/world/americas/ap-lt-argentina-train-crash.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0 Argentine Commuter Train Slams Into Station, Again Damian Pachter The New York Times October 19, 2012 A fleet of 30 ambulances and two helicopters took the injured to around a dozen different hospitals.
Cause
As of October 2013, the cause of the accident had not been determined. Pablo Gunning, spokesman of the Sarmiento Line, said that there were no reported problems in the train, and that it would not be advisable to speculate a reason only a few hours after the accident.http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630633-desde-la-empresa-aseguran-que-el-tren-no-reporto-fallas Desde la empresa aseguran que el tren "no reportó fallas" The company says that the train "had no problems" es October 19, 2013 La Nación October 19, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131020224911/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630633-desde-la-empresa-aseguran-que-el-tren-no-reporto-fallas October 20, 2013 live
A witness claimed that the train had problems stopping at the two previous stations to Once; another one said a similar thing about the Ciudadela station several miles to the west.http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630630-el-tren-fallaba-desde-ciudadela-el-impacto-fue-fuerte Hubo gente que voló por el impacto There were people flying after the impact es October 19, 2013 La Nación October 19, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131020214350/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630630-el-tren-fallaba-desde-ciudadela-el-impacto-fue-fuerte October 20, 2013 live Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo reported that the train entered Once Station at a speed of 22 km/h mph instead of the regulatory 12 km/h mph.http://www.infonews.com/2013/10/19/sociedad-104093-randazzo-descarto-fallas-tecnicas-y-dijo-que-el-tren-iba-mas-rapido-que-el-promedio-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento.php Randazzo descartó fallas técnicas y dijo que el tren iba más rápido que el promedio Randazzo ruled out technical failure and said the train was going faster than the average Info News es October 19, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131021034355/http://www.infonews.com/2013/10/19/sociedad-104093-randazzo-descarto-fallas-tecnicas-y-dijo-que-el-tren-iba-mas-rapido-que-el-promedio-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento.php October 21, 2013 live Randazzo also stated that, according to the GPS, the train stopped at all the stations without problems. He said that the unit had undergone general maintenance on October 15, and that the alcohol test on the motorman had a negative result. He pointed out as well that the motorman had not called to report any problem during the journey.
Several new trains were purchased in China a few months before, but the train that crashed was one of the older ones. At the time of the accident, the new trains were only used from Monday to Friday; the accident took place on Saturday.http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630654-el-tren-que-se-accidento-es-una-formacion-reciclada El tren que se accidentó es "una formación reciclada" The train that crashed is a "recycled unit" es October 19, 2013 La Nación October 19, 2013 October 21, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131021024445/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630654-el-tren-que-se-accidento-es-una-formacion-reciclada live
Political reactions
thumb|Florencio Randazzo headed the Ministry of Interior, which controlled rail transport in Argentina
Activist Luis D'Elía stated that the accident was the result of a conspiracy to undermine Front for Victory candidates in the mid-term legislative elections scheduled for October 27 (a week after the incident). He accused Congressman Fernando Solanas and the union leader Rubén Sobrero of being involved. D'Elía had said similar things about the Castelar rail accident, which took place in June along the same line.http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630641-luis-delia-sugirio-que-un-sabotaje-causo-el-nuevo-incidente-del-sarmiento Luis D´Elía denunció que un "sabotaje electoral" causó el nuevo accidente del Sarmiento Luis D'Elía dennounced that an "electoral sabotage" caused the new accident of the Sarmiento es October 19, 2013 La Nación October 19, 2013 October 21, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131021024445/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630641-luis-delia-sugirio-que-un-sabotaje-causo-el-nuevo-incidente-del-sarmiento live Minister of Interior Florencio Randazzo was asked about this, and did not dismiss any potential cause.http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630651-florencio-randazzo-descarto-problemas-tecnicos-y-advirtio-sobre-la-velocidad-a-la-que-ingres Florencio Randazzo descartó problemas técnicos y advirtió sobre la velocidad a la que ingresó el tren a Once Florencio Randazzo dismissed technical problems and warned about the speed of the train when it got into Once es October 19, 2013 La Nación October 19, 2013 October 21, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131021022245/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630651-florencio-randazzo-descarto-problemas-tecnicos-y-advirtio-sobre-la-velocidad-a-la-que-ingres The Secretary of Public Security, Sergio Berni, made a similar statement, adding that the investigation led by Judge Ariel Lijo will clarify the causes.http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630854-sergio-berni-antes-de-las-elecciones-siempre-pasan-cosas-que-dejan-dudas Sergio Berni: "Antes de las elecciones siempre pasan cosas que dejan dudas" Segio Berni: "Unclear events always take place before elections" es October 20, 2013 La Nación October 20, 2013 October 22, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022055105/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630854-sergio-berni-antes-de-las-elecciones-siempre-pasan-cosas-que-dejan-dudas live
President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner had been operated from a subdural hematoma a few days before. Still in post-operative care, she was not informed of the event.es http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630656-florencio-randazzo-no-hable-con-la-presidenta-sobre-el-accidente Cristina Kirchner "no está informada" del accidente, informó Randazzo Cristina Kirchner "is not informed" about the accident, Randazzo said October 19, 2013 La Nación October 19, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022054613/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630656-florencio-randazzo-no-hable-con-la-presidenta-sobre-el-accidente October 22, 2013 live
Fernando Solanas, candidate for Senator, blamed Minister Florencio Randazzo for the accident. He considers him responsible for the poor maintenance of the railways.October 19, 2013 http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630646-pino-solanas-no-pueden-reconstruir-los-ferrocarriles-los-mismos-que-los-destrozaron Pino Solanas: "No pueden reconstruir los ferrocarriles los mismos que los destrozaron" Pino Solanas: "The railways can not be rebuilt by those who destroyed them" es October 19, 2013 La Nación https://web.archive.org/web/20131022180320/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630646-pino-solanas-no-pueden-reconstruir-los-ferrocarriles-los-mismos-que-los-destrozaron October 22, 2013 live Congresswoman Margarita Stolbizer asked that Randazzo and Planning Minister Julio de Vido resign.http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630659-margarita-stolbizer-pide-la-renuncia-de-randazzo-y-de-vido Margarita Stolbizer pide la renuncia de Randazzo y De Vido Margarita Stolbizer ask for the resignation of Randazzo and De Vido es October 19, 2013 La Nación October 19, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022052731/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630659-margarita-stolbizer-pide-la-renuncia-de-randazzo-y-de-vido October 22, 2013 live The Mayor of Tigre and candidate for Congress on the opposition Renewal Front ticket, Sergio Massa, preferred to wait for the investigations before making opinions, and criticized the lack of long term policies.October 20, 2013 http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630849-sergio-massa-cuando-no-hay-politicas-de-caracter-permanente-lo-termina-pagando-la-gente Sergio Massa: "Cuando no hay políticas de carácter permanente, la gente lo paga" Sergio Massa: "When there are no long term policies, people pay for it" es La Nación October 20, 2013 October 22, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131022180409/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630849-sergio-massa-cuando-no-hay-politicas-de-caracter-permanente-lo-termina-pagando-la-gente
Aftermath
Some of the relatives of the deceased in the 2012 accident repudiated this new incident. They considered that there is no proof of any sabotage, and pointed to the already manifested concerns about the condition of the specific unit that crashed.October 19, 2013 http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630661-familiares-de-la-tragedia-de-once-culpan-al-gobierno-por-el-nuevo-accidente Familiares de la tragedia de Once culpan al Gobierno por el nuevo accidente Relatives of the tragedy of Once blame the government for the new accident es October 19, 2013 La Nación https://web.archive.org/web/20131022180320/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1630661-familiares-de-la-tragedia-de-once-culpan-al-gobierno-por-el-nuevo-accidente October 22, 2013 live Gregorio Dalbón, hired to represent a number of the victims in this new incident, asked that the driver, Julio Benítez, be detained by Judge Lijo on the charges of gross negligence, destroying evidence and obstruction of justice.http://www.infonews.com/2013/10/19/sociedad-104102-accidente-de-once-victimas-pediran-que-el-motorman-quede-preso-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento.php Accidente de Once: víctimas pedirán que el motorman quede preso Once Accident: Victims to ask that the conductor be detained Info News October 19, 2013 October 21, 2013 October 22, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022212429/http://www.infonews.com/2013/10/19/sociedad-104102-accidente-de-once-victimas-pediran-que-el-motorman-quede-preso-accidente-del-tren-sarmiento.php live
References
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34.6086 S 58.4085 W source:wikidata-and-enwiki-cat-tree_region:AR title
Category:2013 in Argentina
Category:Railway accidents in 2013
Category:Train collisions in Argentina
Category:Presidency of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Category:October 2013 in South America
Category:Rail transport in Buenos Aires
Category:2013 disasters in Argentina