34 hurt as LRT-2 trains collide

MANILA, Philippines — Two trains of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) collided on Saturday night, leaving at least 34 people injured.

Reports said a defective train crashed into a passenger train on the eastbound tracks between Cubao and Anonas stations in Quezon City at around 9:50 p.m.

Authorities said the victims include 30 commuters and four LRT-2 personnel.

Police said the malfunctioning train had been parked along the pocket track or emergency lane. It was supposed to be towed toward the depot after operational hours.

Probers said the traffic division of the LRT-2 prompted the emergency brakes of the defective train, which had no power supply.

This caused the train to move from the pocket track to the main track of the railway and crash into a train going to Cubao station.

The impact caused injuries to Irvin Rosero, operator of the passenger train, and commuters, including a four-year-old child. 

Police said doors of the train fell to the ground along Aurora Boulevard after the collision.

The victims were taken to different hospitals for treatment.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said five of the passengers remain confined at the World Citi College Medical Center and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

 Passengers said they initially thought there was an explosion.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade assured the victims that the agency would shoulder their medical expenses.

The trains were pulled out at around 5:40 a.m. yesterday. Normal operations resumed after a few hours. 

This is the first collision in the LRT-2 since it started operating in 2003. 

LRT-2 spokesman Hernando Cabrera said commuters may have to endure longer times waiting for trains as the incident damaged two coaches, reducing the number of operational trains from 10 to 8.

The DOTr said an investigation is underway.