http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/22/at-least-40-killed-550-injured-in-argentina-train-crash/?hpt=hp_t3



Yep folks,its South Americas second major disaster behind the Honduran prison fire in less than 2 weeks.This time it appears to have been an out of control speeding city transit train in Buenos Aires,Argentina that derailed and slammed into a crowded platform,where commuters were ironically waiting to board it,killing and wounding several on the train itself as some on the platform.It is believed that for whatever reason the trains breaks may have suffered a "catostrophic failure" according to one city official.





The cities emergency services were overwhelmed as more than 700 casualties had to be removed fromt eh train and surounding areas and a temporary trauma center was set up further inside the station itself.



Officials do say that some victims may still be trapped inside the train and most who suffered serious an dfatal injuries were thrown foward from the force of the train impact into a platform barrier.This is the second major train diaster in less than 6 months in Argentina and 2nd major diasaster on the south American continent this year.Bakc in September 2011 a commuter train collided with a commuter bus killing 11 an dinjuring 212others.

A very tragic set of circumstances.Its a good thing that the emergency services were well coordinated in their response time and efforts,otherwise the death toll could have been MUCH worse.

RIP to the victims.

Things like this primarily happen there because safety regulations while in place are very rarely enforced.For example,about 10 years ago we were on vacation in Argentina(me and my 2nd wife),we decided to go to a fancy little wine and dine club which had live performances of musicians,dancers,magicians and sometimes comedians.It was right next to a club that was so packed you could look through the door wayy where security was accepting admissions and see people having to squeeze inbetween mounds of flesh and the narrow side walls of the hallway leading to the dance floor.And I saw all of that and wasnt even on the inside of it or going to be.

You got the impression that it was way over crowded and that if anything went wrong......stampede,earthquake,fire,collapse,terrorist attack etc........scores if not hundreds would become instant casualties with little to no hope of escape.

Looks like they're trying to pin it on the Motorman (Marcos Cordoba), who testified that the brakes failed before the train smashed into the barrier. But recordings of his conversation with police show that he made no complaints about the system. He was also found with trace amounts of alcohol in his system, and investigators are looking into whether he might have fallen asleep.

Well, although I'd never rule it out, it doesn't change the fact that this accident was both foreseeable and preventable, according to their nation’s auditor general (Leandro Despouy). Saying years of failed safety tests and other problems had given the government more than enough reason to cancel the train operator’s concession. Others have pointed to high-level corruption of a years-old allegations still awaiting trial that a former transportation secretary took free vacations and other gifts from executives of the Trains of Buenos Aires company in exchange for favorable treatment. While TBA blames government price controls, saying that keeping fares to less than 25 cents a ride made it impossible to finance improvements.