LRT stampede

Commuters, mall shoppers and pedestrians, already tense and jumpy over a recent wave of bomb threats, tripped and fell over one another yesterday when they panicked over the sound of an explosion near the Light Railway Transit (LRT) North Terminal in Monumento, Caloocan City.

What they thought was a bomb exploding was actually the sound of a tire bursting on a 10-wheeler truck that was passing under the elevated station at around 9 a.m.

LRT security guards said several commuters were hurt during the stampede, which was caused by the panicked cry of one Rosalinda Berta, 63.

According to Inspector Joven de la Piedra, Caloocan Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) chief, Berta was heard shouting:"Bomba na ’yon! (That was a bomb!)"

De la Piedra said pandemonium broke loose as the frightened woman, after hearing the explosion, immediately got off an LRT coach that had just arrived at the station, and ran for the exit.

Those on the coach immediately reacted and made a mad scramble for the emergency exit, some tripping while trying to get away from the station.

A bomb disposal squad with K-9 dogs secured and searched the area, but found no explosives.

The 10-wheeler truck was towed away from the crowded scene and brought to an impounding area to have the tire replaced. Berta was later released by LRT authorities after she eventually calmed down.

Meanwhile, the LRT management urged its patrons to remain calm, assuring them that security measures have been tightened within the premises of the LRT stations to prevent any incident.

Caloocan City has received several bomb threats following the bombing of a aircon bus in Balintawak last Oct. 18. The incident killed two persons and injured several passengers.

Over the next few days, several threats have been made to several business establishments and local government buildings, all of which have turned out to be hoaxes.