A passenger train plowed into a bus packed with tourists in the eastern Argentine town of Dolores on Sunday, leaving 18 dead and 47 injured, police and hospital sources said. "It is a tragedy. We are giving priority to the most seriously injured," said Dolores Hospital director Roberto Capiel, adding that five people were in critical condition.
Witnesses said the bus was on its way to Buenos Aires from the beach resort town of Mar de Ajo, 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the capital, when it tried to pass a crossing where the barriers were down at around 2 am. The Buenos Aires province health minister, Claudio Zin, told local radio that the bus driver and his backup driver, who were both injured, were placed under arrest as authorities investigate the accident.
"It's a catastrophe," Zin told Radio 10. Television images showed the white and blue bus lying on its side with part of its roof ripped off, while several train wagons were off their tracks as police scoured the scene of the tragedy.
"A loud collision could be heard, a shock and then a lot of screams," a train passenger told Todo Noticias news channel following the crash in Dolores, 212 kilometers (130 miles) south of Buenos Aires.
"It was very dark," said the passenger, who identified himself as Alejandro. "There were a lot of little kids alone and many adults injured. The barrier was down and was broken."