/ 12 December 2007

Trains torched after weather delays

Angry commuters set fire to two trains in Pretoria after severe storms disrupted rail services.

Train services in Pretoria were brought to a standstill after the signalling system broke down and a back-up system was struck by lightning, rail operator Metrorail said.

A thunderstorm wreaked havoc in large parts of Pretoria on Tuesday, flooding homes and causing severe damage.

Commuters became impatient with the delays, setting fire to two trains as the rail operator tried to organise buses to ferry passengers to their destinations.

Four train coaches were torched and damage amounting to millions of rand was caused to an overhead electricity cable.

”Metrorail condemns the behaviour of commuters following delays caused by the storm — which it had no control over,” said Metrorail spokesperson Thokozani Zithashe. – Reuters