An inquiry into a tragic train incident that resulted in the death of 45 individuals has revealed track cracks as a contributing factor.
The initial findings from the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF) indicated the presence of “nicks” on the wheels and “deformations” on the tracks in Cordoba, located in southern Spain, where the collision occurred. These signs are said to be “consistent with the track fracture.”.
The collision in Adamuz involved two trains travelling at approximately 130mph (209kmh), causing injuries to over 150 individuals. Samples of the railway will undergo testing in a laboratory to determine the potential causes of the track fracture, with the accident commission keeping all possibilities open.
The incident occurred at 7.45pm last Sunday when the rear end of a train carrying 289 passengers on its journey from Malaga to Madrid derailed and collided with an oncoming train headed from Madrid to Huelva, another southern city, as reported by rail operator Adif.
The front portion of the second train, carrying 184 passengers, bore the brunt of the impact, resulting in the first two carriages being dislodged from the track and tumbling down a four-meter slope. According to Andalusia regional President Juanma Moreno, some bodies were discovered hundreds of meters away from the crash site.
Visuals depicted the remnants of the first two cars from the second train, detached from the rest of the train and resting beside the tracks. Seats from the train had been flung onto the rocks beneath the tracks.
Further along the railway, Civil Guard officers inspected the interior of the first train using dogs, while passengers’ belongings were strewn across the floor. The last carriage lay on its side on the tracks, with the second-to-last carriage tilting to one side and all its windows shattered.
Mr. Moreno conveyed his deep sadness over the incident, acknowledging the significant impact on the province of Huelva, where the majority of the deceased individuals hailed from. He emphasized the need for mourning and expressed gratitude towards volunteers, rescue teams, and blood donors for their efforts.
Meanwhile, just two days following the Cordoba tragedy, a Barcelona commuter train accident occurred on Tuesday when a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks, resulting in the loss of one life and injuries to 37 others, as confirmed by Spanish regional authorities.
