19°c A few clouds
25°c Chance of thundershowers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Smoke bombs paralyze Montreal's subways
MONTREAL -- A co-ordinated smoke-bomb attack crippled Montreal's subway system Thursday, cutting off service and creating a nightmarish morning commute.
Bombs were tossed onto the tracks during rush hour at three stations along the transit network that connects large swaths of the city. It wasn't the first interruption to subway lines in recent weeks, as Montreal has dealt with unwieldy student protests.
But this one was notable.
Police said several bombs were set off between 7:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., sending clouds of smoke billowing through stations at key transfer points.
The stunt paralyzed all lines along the system.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest swiftly condemned the attack, saying he hoped the guilty parties would be found.
"It's inexplicable," Charest told reporters in Gatineau, Que., Thursday.
"There's no reason to commit acts of intimidation and violence. There's no excuse for this -- none."
Police said they were hunting Thursday for several suspects: one man and three women. They circulated photos of potential suspects -- which police received from witnesses -- in the hope of tracking down the suspects.
Above ground, the trickle-down effect was felt in the city's streets, with long lineups at bus stops and increased traffic under a heavy drizzle.
Packed city buses zoomed past stranded commuters desperate to find a way to get to work, school and appointments.
Some resorted to hitchhiking along the city's busy boulevards, while others hopped on bicycles for a rain-soaked ride to the office.
There were reports on social media of some incidents such as ambulances struggling to get through traffic.
Police did not immediately blame anyone for the disruption. They have repeatedly said in recent weeks some radical groups have been taking advantage of students' anti-tuition battle to create their own damage.
An attempt to restart the system quickly failed with another smoke attack reported, prompting authorities to declare yet another shutdown. Service began returning on a gradual basis after 9:30 a.m. and it was fully re-established after 10:40 a.m., but for many the damage was done.
Commuters vented their rage.
One listener wrote to local radio station CJAD to say Charest should withdraw whatever offer he has made to students and demand the army be called in. Other commenters on news websites likened it to domestic terrorism.
But there were also reports of civic-mindedness Thursday, with people offering rides and a temporary increase in BIXI public-bicycle service.
Montreal police say the 911 emergency phone line was inundated with calls from citizens about smoke in the metro.
In the meantime, many locals waited calmly for service on the subway to resume.
"I've had to cancel a few things and push things later on in my day, so it kind of makes things frustrating," said Marlene Bambonye. "But, you know, it's kind of part of the city. So, you get used to it. You make do."
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 11, 2012 A15
More Canada
- Back to Top
- Return to Canada
More Canada
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
One in eight world bird species at threat of extinction, report says
06/19/2013 11:16 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Canada
- Corruption in Quebec: A blow-by-blow account
- Liberal MP, former leader Bob Rae stepping down to focus on First Nations
- 'Shocking' half of First Nations kids living in poverty, new study finds
- Fast and curious driver caught going 221 km/h loses car, nets double the fine
- Commons breaks for summer with reeling Conservatives poised for major retooling
- Border agency warns of telephone scam, says it doesn't make calls
- 30,000 people homeless on a given night, first-ever national tally suggests
- Tory attacks on Trudeau boomerang, raise questions about PMO involvement
- Montreal will get its new, new mayor Tuesday
- Children taken from Mennonite community as more abuse charges are laid
- Sobeys gobbles up Safeway
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Montreal's interim mayor, a self-styled corruption fighter, faces fraud charges
- Corruption in Quebec: A blow-by-blow account
- Woman charged after drink tossed at embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford
- Fast and curious driver caught going 221 km/h loses car, nets double the fine
- Questions about Mayor Rob Ford overshadow news of huge police raids
- Trudeau to compensate charities that paid him to help raise money
- Liberal MP, former leader Bob Rae stepping down to focus on First Nations
- 'Shocking' half of First Nations kids living in poverty, new study finds
- Woman run over three times by her own car
- Sobeys gobbles up Safeway
- Controversy around Toronto mayor Rob Ford continues to grow
- Glover, Bezan fight suspension from Parliament
- Alleged Rob Ford drug video 'gone,' source tells Gawker
- Gawker hits $200K for 'crack cocaine' video as mayor's senior aides resign
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- 'I am not stepping aside,' Mayor Rob Ford says, as 'crack video' scandal rages
- Mother cries, yells as driver appears in court charged with killing boy on patio
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- 30,000 people homeless on a given night, first-ever national tally suggests
- Next! Montreal seeks yet another mayor after second one quits in scandal
- Hike in disclosure for public servants should apply to unions too: Liberals
- Corruption in Quebec: A blow-by-blow account
- The Great One firmly believes NHL will return to Quebec City someday
- 'Shocking' half of First Nations kids living in poverty, new study finds
- Border agency warns of telephone scam, says it doesn't make calls
- Sobeys gobbles up Safeway
- Senate's hired motivational speakers scrubbed after planned pep talk goes public
- 'Shocking' half of First Nations kids living in poverty, new study finds
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Feds want to extend blanket of permanent secrecy over 11 new agencies
- 30,000 people homeless on a given night, first-ever national tally suggests
- Canadian and American missing for nearly two weeks in Mexico
- B.C. is 'in the risk zone' for mega-earthquake along the coast: study
- Squirrel takes whirl in toilet; woman rescues rodent with barbecue tongs
- Wendy's 9-patty burger extinct
- Sobeys gobbles up Safeway
- Glover, Bezan fight suspension from Parliament
- Woman run over three times by her own car
- Ottawa threatens 'retaliatory measures' over new U.S. meat labelling regulations
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Canadian and American missing for nearly two weeks in Mexico
- Banff officials hunt for cougar that man fought off with skateboard
- Harper government brings in new performance review system for public service
- Senate's hired motivational speakers scrubbed after planned pep talk goes public
- 'Shocking' half of First Nations kids living in poverty, new study finds
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.