Two more train accidents in northeastern Spain kill one, with 4 seriously injured
Two separate trains derailed in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia on Tuesday evening, killing one driver and injuring at least 20, local authorities said, Xinhua reports.
According to Catalan emergency services, one of the accidents occurred on the R4 suburban line near the town of Gelida in Barcelona province, where a retaining wall alongside the railway line suddenly collapsed as a train was passing. The collapse forced the train to derail and damaged the driver's cab.
Gelida Mayor Lluis Valls told local media that four of the injured were in very serious condition, six sustained serious injuries, and the others suffered minor wounds.
"Within the tragedy, had the accident happened one kilometer closer to Barcelona, the consequences would have been worse," the mayor said, adding that it had been raining throughout the day.
Gelida is located about 35-40 km from central Barcelona. Barcelona Sants station, the city's main station, is also the second-busiest railway station in Spain, after Madrid Atocha. It handles hundreds of thousands of passengers daily.
Some regional media reported a higher number of injuries than the official figures, raising concerns that the casualty toll could rise.
Following dozens of emergency calls, regional civil protection authorities activated the Ferrocat emergency plan. Emergency services dispatched 11 ambulances and a fire brigade unit to the scene. Preliminary assessments suggested that heavy rainfall in recent days may have led to the collapse of the retaining wall.
Authorities said a command center would be set up at a football field in Sant Sadurni d'Anoia. Rail traffic on the affected section was suspended, and Spain's national rail operator Renfe said alternative road transport was being arranged.
A second derailment occurred in Girona province between the stations of Blanes and Macanet-Massanes. Adif, Spain's state-owned railway infrastructure manager, said storm conditions caused rocks to fall onto the tracks, leading to the loss of an axle and the subsequent derailment.
Renfe said 10 people were on board the second train and that no injuries had been reported. The RG1 line was temporarily halted between Tordera and Macanet-Massanes. Other services in the area may experience delays as Adif technicians continue work at the site.
Both incidents occurred as severe weather hit Spain's Mediterranean coast. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (Meteocat) have warned of a significant storm in the region from Saturday through Wednesday, with the Catalan coastline at the center of the impact.
The accidents came two days after a deadly high-speed train crash near Adamuz in southern Spain, which killed at least 42 people and injured more than 100. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday announced three days of official mourning following that crash.
