Fuel train derails in Ndalatando

A Luanda Railway (CFL) train carrying fuel to Malanje province derailed, Wednesday (9), in the vicinity of the Lússue de Baixo neighbourhood, seven kilometers southwest of the city of Ndalatando, Cuanza-Norte. , with 14 tanks filled with gasoline and diesel.

Witnesses at the scene told Jornal de Angola that the incident happened around 12:30 pm. Of the 14 tanks, eight overturned, five derailed and one burst as a result of the collision. On the ground, the spillage of fuel was remarkable and the enormous damage still to be assessed, not only for the CFL, but also for the people who have their agricultural fields nearby.

The locomotive and some systems left the rails, which were totally damaged as a result of what happened. The crew was unharmed and, shaken by the situation, did not want to make statements, alleging lack of superior authorization from the CFL.

Staff of the National Police Command for the Protection of Strategic Objectives have moved on the ground and maintain control of the perimeter, in order to avoid sabotage by the population, which in the early hours began to transport fuel.

Ministry speaks of criminal act

The Transport Ministry said in a statement that preliminary results of findings on the ground indicate that the accident was the result of a "criminal act".

According to the document, as a result of the accident, seven wagons were derailed and eight overturned, in addition to the damage of about 150 meters of railway line and the spillage of two cistern wagons.

The Ministry of Transport informs that technical works are being carried out to contain the fuel and protect the surrounding environment. The train would be transporting 600 cubic meters of diesel. Experts from the National Institute of Railways in Angola (INCFA) should arrive this morning at the accident site to investigate the causes behind the accident.

As a result of the accident, the statement also informs, the circulation of all trains from Luanda to Ndalatando and Malanje is suspended until technical conditions are restored.
Source: Jornal de Angola (10 February 2022)