PHOTO: The AML train wreckage-courtesy of www.newspublictrust.com Reporter Garmah Never Lomo
A train belonging to ArcelorMittal Liberia has derailed, while traveling from the iron ore mining town of Tokadeh in northeastern Nimba County down south to the port of Buchanan, in what the company’s management has described as a targeted attack by “criminals”.
In a press release published on its website on Wednesday, the iron ore mining giant said the incident happened at about 8:00pm on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
It is so far not know who carried out the reported attack or what their motive would be.
But according to ArcelorMittal, one of its locomotives was “targeted by criminal activities that resulted in an incident on the rail track around Kilometer 215 near Sanniquellie.”
“The presumed target of these criminals were the tarpaulins covering the iron ore wagons to keep out moisture from the iron ore. During this blatant attack, some of the moving wagons were deliberately disconnected from its braking systems and veered off the rail track resulting in damage to a portion of the rail line. No fatalities or injuries were reported,” the company’s release said.
ArcelorMittal management says it is working with the Liberia National Police and security authorities to conduct an investigation, while the company assesses the impact of the reported attack.
”ArcelorMittal Liberia strongly condemns this latest attack against its property,” Wednesday’s press release concluded.