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Angola Rebels Claim Responsibility for Train Ambush That Killed 152 People
Rebels in Angola claimed responsibility Monday for a train ambush in the northwest of the African nation that killed 152 people, saying the train was a legitimate military target.
The train carrying about 500 refugees fleeing fighting between the government and rebel forces hit a mine Friday, derailed and burst into flames before coming under attack by gunmen. Many of the dead were trapped in the train and were burned alive, government officials said.
In a statement sent by electronic mail to the press, the former colonial power in Angola, UNITA Gen. Geraldo Abreu Kamorteiro claimed the train had a large military and police escort and was carrying munitions and other army supplies.
The rebels "attacked and completely destroyed" the train, killing 26 soldiers and 11 police, the statement said.
It said the rebels seized automatic weapons, an anti-aircraft gun and large amounts of ammunition.
Government officials in Angola were not immediately available for comment. They previously had said the train had no army escort.
Emergency workers on Sunday buried 152 dead in a common grave near the wreck, about 80 miles from Luanda, the capital, the Roman Catholic radio station Ecclesia reported. At least 146 people were wounded.
The ambush was believed to be the deadliest single rebel attack since the civil war resumed in 1998, when a four-year-old peace accord brokered by the United Nations collapsed.
Two of the train's cars were carrying drums of gasoline that exploded, engulfing adjoining carriages, Ecclesia reported.
Civilians trying to flee the fire were gunned down, according to survivors.
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