Accidents in Catalonia due to train strike

Delays and accidents were reported across Catalonia during a 24-hour strike organized by railway workers to protest against a government plan to liberalize the sector. The strike, which started at midnight yesterday and coincides with the departure of many for the summer holidays, is organized by employees with Renfe and Adif, the two public railway companies. The first accidents were reported at 6,30 am after protesters set on fire the railway tracks at the stations of Garraf and Sitges, on the R2 southern line, and between the stations of Sant Andreu Comtal , Barcelona and Montcada on the R2 northern line, Renfe sources said. Train circulation resumed at 7 am with delays of an average 15 minutes. In Madrid, some 50 railway workers staged a demonstration at the Atocha station chanting slogans such as "railways belong to everybody". Train services are overall continuing as normal. Unions supporting the protest - CcOo, Ugt, Semaf, Cgt, the Sindicato Ferroviario and Sindicato de Circulacion - confirmed that they are guaranteeing the minimum services required by the Infrastructure Ministry, ensuring 75 percent of high speed trains covering long connections, 65 percent of high speed trains on medium connections and 60 percent local trains. The unions have also confirmed they will stage another strike on September 17 if the government will not revoke its decision to liberalize the sector.