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Fatal derailment near Barcelona
A commuter train crashed into a collapsed retaining wall near Barcelona on Tuesday night, killing the driver and injuring at least 37 passengers, five critically. The accident occurred two days after a deadly high-speed train collision in southern Spain.
Timeline of the accident
The Rodalies train struck the fallen wall between Gelida and Sant Sadurní d'Anoia shortly after 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT). The impact destroyed the driver's cab and severely damaged the first carriage, where most injuries occurred.
Firefighters took nearly an hour to free one trapped survivor at the scene, approximately 35 km west of Barcelona. All passengers were evacuated by emergency crews.
Casualties and response
The driver's identity remains unconfirmed, as three trainees were also in the cab at the time. Two of them are among the seriously injured. Emergency services transported victims to Moisès Broggi, Bellvitge, and Vilafranca hospitals.
Catalonia's regional rail network suspended all Rodalies services pending safety inspections. Officials stated operations will resume only after tracks are deemed secure.
Weather and infrastructure concerns
Heavy storms battering northeastern Spain are suspected to have caused the wall's collapse. Local authorities noted the rain followed months of drought, potentially weakening the structure.
Separately, another Rodalies train derailed Tuesday near Blanes after a rock dislodged by the storm struck its axle. The train, carrying about 10 passengers, remained on the tracks without injuries.
Broader impact and union action
The service suspension affects roughly 400,000 daily commuters, El País reported. Spain's train drivers' union Semaf announced a strike in response to both the Catalonia derailment and Sunday's fatal collision near Córdoba, which killed 42 people.
"All members of Semaf are devastated and consider this situation of constant deterioration of the railway unacceptable."
Semaf union statement
Second deadly crash in days
The Córdoba accident involved a Madrid-bound high-speed train that derailed and crossed into oncoming traffic, colliding with another train. It ranks among Spain's deadliest rail disasters in over a decade.
