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Train drivers complain of a deterioration in their working conditions after the collision between two trains killed 18 people near Brussels.

Many Belgian railway workers went on strike Tuesday after the fatal collision between two passenger trains which took place yesterday at Buizingen, south-west of Brussels. The last record reported at least eighteen victims, including drivers of both trains and 80 wounded. According to the Belgian railway company, the strike was very well attended, and many delays and cancellations are expected throughout the day.

The strikers denounce the deterioration of working conditions, which they believe can lead to accidents such as collision occurred Monday. They especially deplore the fact that the company did not have a network of automatic braking system when passing through a red light. For although the investigation is still in its infancy, the assumption of non-compliance with a red light by one of two drivers was quickly raised by the authorities. An examination of the black boxes of two trains in the coming days should confirm or reject this theory.


Already a problem with traffic lights in 2001

Traffic, particularly between Paris and Brussels continues to be disrupted on Tuesday. No TGV, Eurostar (London-Brussels), Thalys (Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam or Cologne) or B should move. SNCF recommends travelers to cancel or reschedule their trips and reports that all tickets, regardless of their pricing (non refundable) will be refunded.

The European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, said Monday night was "shocked and saddened" by the accident. King Albert II and Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme went there to show their support.

This is the worst rail disaster ever known in Belgium since the 1954 near Louvain, which had killed 20 people (fans of German football) and 40 serious injuries. On March 28, 2001, eight people were also killed in the collision between a crowded passenger train and an empty train. The origins of drama: a red light burning and a problem of language between a driver, speaking Dutch, and a technician, speaking French.

By Flora Galaud

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marye001
The driver Grilled fire, no, how working conditions are responsible? " We must always hold hands?
It has increasingly automated trains. If we automate everything you do not need irresponsible drivers is what they seek?

On 16/02/2010 at 15:00 RépondreAlerter
schwarzkopf
Yes, you can automate everything ... Praying very hard that there will never be bugs, viruses, faults, programming errors. Try to imagine the potential damage of cybercrime on the management of transport and telecommunications in the country.

On 16/02/2010 at 15:57 RépondreAlerter
lgar_1
What working conditions they are responsible for the accident? I'll exliquer ...

When you're tired, stressed, under constant pressure, a cause of difficult working conditions, it is still concentrated enough to see everything happening around us?

Is it not more prone to errors, omissions, etc. ...

Voila, I hope you understand ...

On 16/02/2010 at 15:42 RépondreAlerter
marye001
The driver Grilled fire, no, how working conditions are responsible? " We must always hold hands?
It has increasingly automated trains. If we automate everything you do not need irresponsible drivers is what they seek?

On 16/02/2010 at 14:59 RépondreAlerter
Fantom5051
Precisely because we know that a human problem may happen that systems are safe and that it often tapping feet to be entendre.Je am not railwaymen but agree with them there Remember that the accident driver was also killed with 17 others

On 16/02/2010 at 14:36 RépondreAlerter
flamby2216
I do not see what more will a strike that penalizes users, the dead will not be resurrected, and peace to their souls, condolences to the family,

On 16/02/2010, 14:19 RépondreAlerter
ff dd
Ms. Galaud,
it is not necessary and appropriate to indicate whether they are French or Belgian railway! information when it is given must be complete!

On 16/02/2010 at 13:58 RépondreAlerter
Paul Schaack
It's always the same film, the guys have a failure that can happen and then they defend themselves under dubious pretexts like "working conditions", "effective" .... you know the words! ... The best defense is attack they say ....

On 16/02/2010 at 13:42 RépondreAlerter
Fantom5051
I know it is travelers who are annoyed but also for their safety because he must know that the actions were taken and the sncb Infrabel at the ordering systems of braking if the train was burning a red lights are far from being finished and then there are times that are crazy pressure on drivers not to have delayed the recycling are lower because of the cost of them it is all the bad weather prevailing in a SNCB



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