Driver stopped train for cigarette break

A Romanian train driver is facing disciplinary action after he stopped his train to get out for a cigarette.

He stopped in the middle of the countryside and he also allowed passengers to get off the train.

Smoking was recently banned on trains in Romania, reports the Evenimentul Zilei newspaper.

The incident happened on the Blue Arrow, supposedly the country's fastest and most modern train

The train had just passed the city of Timisoara when the driver announced: "Passengers may get off now, we'll take a five minutes cigarette break."

One of the passengers, Adina-Nicoleta B, told the newspaper: "I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the announcement about the cigarette break.

"We were not travelling by bus. It was supposed to be a fast train but it stopped in the middle of nowhere and people led by the driver went out to have a smoke."

Railway officials said the engine driver admitted making the stop but claimed there were technical reasons for it.

However, they admitted the driver should not have let passengers off the train and he faces disciplinary action.