A train driver has been killed and at least 37 people injured, five seriously, after a commuter train derailed and crashed near Barcelona. The incident occurred just two days after a deadly collision of two trains in southern Spain.
According to local officials, the Rodalies train collided with a retaining wall that fell onto the track between Gelida and Sant Sadurní. Catalonia regional fire Inspector Claudi Gallardo confirmed that all passengers had been removed from the train following the crash.
This unfortunate event coincides with heavy storms affecting northeastern Spain, leading to severe weather alerts in coastal areas. Rail officials suspect that the wall collapsed as the train passed by around 21:00 local time, causing significant damage to the driver's cab and the first carriage, where most injured passengers were located.
Firefighters reported a challenging rescue operation, requiring almost an hour to free one of the survivors amidst the wreckage near Gelida, approximately 35 kilometers west of Barcelona. The identity of the deceased driver has not yet been confirmed, as he was accompanied by three trainees during the accident, two of whom are reported to be seriously injured.
Emergency personnel have evacuated several injured individuals to nearby hospitals, including Moisès Broggi and Bellvitge. In response to the crash, all services across Catalonia's main Rodalies commuter rail network have been suspended pending safety checks.
This tragic incident has raised further concerns as it follows another severe rail accident in which at least 43 people died in a collision of high-speed trains in Andalusia. The Spanish train drivers' union, Semaf, has called for a strike to address ongoing safety concerns, expressing devastation over the recent events.
Local officials speculate that the heavy rainfall, after a prolonged dry spell, may have contributed to the wall's collapse. Moreover, another train in the Barcelona commuter network derailed under similar storm conditions, leading to widespread service disruptions that could impact around 400,000 commuters in Catalonia.
