Credited from: SCMP
A commuter train derailed near Gelida, approximately 35 minutes outside of Barcelona, after a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks due to heavy rain, resulting in one death and at least 37 injuries, according to regional authorities. The train driver was among the casualties, while emergency services treated 28 injured passengers, four of whom were said to be in serious condition, reports South China Morning Post and CBS News.
The incident follows a devastating train crash on Sunday in southern Spain, which claimed at least 42 lives and injured numerous others. A retaining wall collapsing is a rare occurrence, and the latest accident raises significant concerns over safety in Spain’s rail networks. Spanish railway operator ADIF noted that heavy rainfall likely contributed to the wall's failure, echoing the sentiment expressed in multiple reports, including BBC and India Times.
Emergency services deployed approximately twenty ambulances and thirty-eight firefighter units to the scene, establishing a security perimeter and actively engaging in salvage operations. The authorities had stated that all passengers were safely evacuated from the train amidst chaotic scenes described as a "hot zone," according to reports from Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.
As the nation mourns the victims of the earlier collision, which involved a high-speed train, Spanish officials are under increased pressure to address safety measures in the aftermath of these incidents. Observers noted that the commuter rail services have faced operational challenges previously, including reliability issues, as highlighted in several reports, including South China Morning Post and India Times.