Syrian Train Derailed

On July 24, Syrian Officials reported that saboteurs attacked a passenger train in Homs City in central Syria, killing the driver instantly and wounding 16 passengers. The train was carrying 480 passengers, most of them women and children, from Aleppo to Damascus.

"The saboteurs who endangered 480 lives have tried to cut off several rails to frighten civilians. The saboteurs learned the schedule of the train which passed Aleppo at 1:00 a.m. They dismantled the rails during the two hours before the train was due to arrive at Damascus at 3:00 am," said Ghassan Abdul-Aal, governor of Homs.

The group destroyed tracks at Al-Souda about three miles from Homs, causing eight carriages to derail and the front carriage, containing 5,000 liter diesel, to catch fire in the crash. Investigators thought the driver might have been shot as they found bullet holes in the front carriage.

"This is not the first time the saboteurs tried to destroy the railways. They tried to damage the railways in Jisr al-Shughour, Talkalakh and Homs, but their plots were foiled. Evidently, this accident was well organized," said George Al-Qaabari, head of the Syrian railway.

Homs, about 100 miles from Damascus, has been under siege following reports of a wave of sectarian killings that left 30 people dead. It has been a focal point of demonstrations.


Speakers:
Ghassan Abdul-Aal, governor of Homs
George Al-Qaabari, head of the Syrian railway

Voice:
Majdi Alyazigi
Mourad Kricha