Three Sent to Court for Derailment of AML Train

AML train in motion in Liberia.

 

The Nimba Detachment of the Liberia National Police has formally charged three men with counts of crimes which subsequently led to the derailment of the AML train on September 20, 2021.

According to the Crimes Services Department of LNP, Nimba Detachment Oscar Sayeh, the three men, Franklin Tokpah Paye-Nya, Melvin Tokpah Zawolo and Abraham Zawolo clandestinely boarded the locomotive while it was leaving the loading site at Mount Tokadeh with the intent to criminally take away the tarpaulin used to cover the ore.

He said the three men were caught on a CCTV camera attached to the train when they boarded the train/wagons while it was already enroute to the port city of Buchanan.

But, after they had gone several kilometers, coming toward Gbadin Camp #3, they engaged the air brake connecting to the main locomotive to slow down the train so as to either jump down or proceed with their criminal activity.

Detective Sayeh quoted the operator, who explained that, while the train was coming down the hill, when he (operator) applied brakes, the brakes of 33 of the wagons that left behind the brake that was tampered with could no longer hold, leaving the wagons to come down with force and subsequently got derailed.

The derailment caused damage in the tune of of over US$250,000, including the 33 wagons, the ore and the rails itself.

The train was said to be carrying over 66 wagons, 33 of which got derailed. On the wagons that stayed connected to the locomotive, the alleged criminals had crossed over before trying to engage the brake, leaving behind the 33 wagons that derailed.

According to the CSD, eight pieces of tarpaulin were retrieved from people to whom the suspects sold the tarpaulin in Gbadin Camp #4, during their investigation. However, the police could not explain whether those who were in possession of the stolen goods were also charged.

At about 8pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2021 a locomotive carrying about 66 wagons derailed less than six months after two AML trains collided injuring several others, including the operators.

At the scene of the derailment, the rail was deserted with almost all the wagons that were loaded with ore turned upside-down, to the amazement of the outlookers.

AML’s initial investigation put the accident to criminal activities aimed at stealing the tarpaulin used to cover the iron ore to prevent it from spilling while the train is in motion.

The three suspects have been charged with three counts -- criminal conspiracy, criminal mischief and theft of property and sent to Sanniquellie City court for prosecution.

On May 25, 2021, two trains traveling in opposition directions -- both belonging to ArcelorMittal Liberia -- collided along the rail, leaving 14 persons, including women and children wounded as well as the two operators.

The two operators, Marcus Tulbron and Russell Cliff sustained severe injury, where one of them was taken abroad for treatment.