Spain is grappling with the shock of a second deadly train incident in just days.
On Tuesday, a commuter train near Barcelona derailed after a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks, leaving one person dead and 15 others injured.
The tragedy struck as the country was still mourning the catastrophic train collision in southern Spain that occurred two days earlier, which claimed at least 42 lives.
The Barcelona Crash and Its Aftermath
The commuter train accident happened near Gelida, a town about 35 minutes outside Barcelona.
Regional authorities reported that heavy rainfall likely caused the retaining wall to give way, sending debris onto the tracks.
Of the 15 people affected in this crash, three sustained serious injuries while five were in less critical condition.
Emergency teams dispatched 11 ambulances to the scene and were quick to stabilize the victims.
Meanwhile, rescue workers in southern Spain continued their painstaking search for survivors and victims from the previous Sunday’s deadly crash, which took place roughly 497 miles (800 km) away.
Heartbreaking Stories From Southern Spain
Sunday’s collision involved two trains: one traveling from Malaga to Madrid with 289 passengers and the other from Madrid to Huelva with 184 on board.
The impact derailed the second train’s first two carriages, sending them down a four-meter slope.
Tragically, some victims were found hundreds of meters from the site.
Among the survivors was a six-year-old girl who emerged relatively unharmed, though her parents, brother, and cousin tragically lost their lives.
Health authorities confirmed that 39 people remained hospitalized on Tuesday morning, while 83 others had already been treated and discharged.
Investigations Underway
Officials described the accident as “truly strange” because it occurred on a straight stretch of track and both trains were traveling well below the speed limit.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente revealed that investigators discovered a broken section of track near the derailment site, though it remains unclear whether this was a cause or a consequence of the crash.
Interior Minister Grande Marlaska emphasized that “all hypotheses are open” as the investigation continues.
Experts will analyze the rails at the point of derailment and inspect the first train’s wheels in laboratories.
The train that derailed was operated by private company Iryo and manufactured in 2022, while the second belonged to Spain’s public operator, Renfe.
Safety Checks and Public Reassurance
Iryo confirmed that its train passed a safety inspection on January 15.
Officials insisted that human error was unlikely, as both trains adhered to speed limits.
The crash has shaken Spain, a country proud of its high-speed rail network, prompting calls for thorough investigations and reassurance to passengers.
Transport Minister Puente told Spanish national radio that the priority was preserving the credibility and reliability of the railway system, which is among the most advanced in Europe.
Royal Support and Community Response
Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the site in Andalusia, meeting with emergency personnel and local volunteers who assisted during the initial rescue.
They later visited hospitals in Cordoba, where many of the injured remain under care.
Queen Letizia addressed the media, emphasizing collective responsibility: “We are all responsible for not looking away when the debris of a catastrophe is being cleared away.”
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