Riots Break-Out in Argentina After Commuter Trains Shut Down

Twenty people have been injured in a riot over the suspension of a train service in an Argentine suburb. Passengers and masked demonstrators set fire to their train after being told it would not leave Haedo station.

Among those injured during the five-hour rioting were six police officers. More than 80 people have been arrested.

The city is preparing for the Americas summit, which will be attended by George Bush among others.

The Argentine authorities believe the rioting was instigated by members of the railway unions and leftist groups.

Violence broke out after officials of private rail company TBA announced to nearly 2,000 travelers on board a train that it would not leave the station due to technical problems, after being held at Haedo station for about 50 minutes.

According to witnesses, the passengers got off the train and, joined by dozens of people wearing masks, began to hurl rocks at the train, breaking windows.

The masked demonstrators also set fire to several train carriages and a police vehicle. Nearby stores were destroyed by the flames.

Police officers used rubber bullets to contain the violence.

Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez told that the riots were a planned action set by armed groups, AHN reports.

Photo: BBC News

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