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87 arrested in Argentina over train delay riots. 02/11/2005. ABC News Online

[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1495936.htm]

Last Update: Wednesday, November 2, 2005. 12:00pm (AEDT)

87 arrested in Argentina over train delay riots

By Nick Olle in Buenos Aires

Argentine police have arrested 87 people after a violent rampage by commuters in Buenos Aires.

Angered by continual delays and poor service, commuters took matters into their own hands last night.

As many as 15 train carriages were set alight before the violence spilled into nearby streets, where a police car was torched and local businesses reported looting.

Police used rubber bullets to control the situation and regained order after five hours.

Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez denied that the rioting was spontaneous and accused leftist groups of inciting the incident.

Whatever the cause, the sight of pitched street battles with police is especially worrying for Argentine authorities, just three days before the nation hosts the Summit of the Americas.



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