An inquiry into a tragic train incident that claimed the lives of 45 individuals has revealed the presence of fissures on the railway track. The initial findings by the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF) indicated the existence of “nicks” on the train wheels and “deformations” on the track where the accident occurred in Cordoba, southern Spain. The report suggested that these signs are indicative of a fractured track.
The collision in Adamuz involved two trains traveling at approximately 130mph (209km/h), resulting in over 150 injuries. Samples of the rail will undergo testing in a laboratory to ascertain the potential causes of the track breakage. The commission overseeing the investigation stated that no hypotheses are being ruled out at this stage.
It is theorized that the track fracture may have occurred before the Iryo train, central to the accident, passed over it, leading to the derailment. The tragic event unfolded at 7.45 pm the previous Sunday when the rear of a train carrying 289 passengers en route from Malaga to Madrid derailed and collided with an incoming train from Madrid to Huelva, another southern city, as reported by rail operator Adif.
The impact primarily affected the front of the second train, carrying 184 passengers, causing the first two carriages to veer off the track and tumble down a four-meter embankment. Some victims were discovered several hundred meters away from the crash site, according to Andalusia regional President Juanma Moreno.
Visuals depicted the remnants of the first two cars of the second train detached from the rest of the train and lying adjacent to the tracks. Seats from the train were strewn across the rocks underneath the tracks. Further down the line, Civil Guard officers inspected the interior of the first train with the assistance of dogs, while passengers’ belongings were scattered on the floor. The last carriage lay on its side on the tracks, with the second-to-last carriage leaning to one side, all windows shattered.
Mr. Moreno conveyed his deep condolences, acknowledging the severe impact on Huelva. He emphasized the significant loss experienced by the province, with more than half of the deceased individuals originating from Huelva. Expressing grief, he recognized the efforts of volunteers, rescue teams, emergency responders, and blood donors in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Shortly after the Cordoba incident, a commuter train in Barcelona collided due to a falling retaining wall, resulting in one fatality and 37 injuries, as reported by Spanish regional authorities.