A commuter train operating near Barcelona has collided with a collapsed retaining wall, resulting in multiple injuries according to officials in the Catalonia region of north-eastern Spain. The incident occurred on Tuesday, merely two days after a devastating high-speed train collision in Andalucía that claimed at least 42 lives and left dozens more injured.
Emergency Response and Casualty Details
Catalan emergency services have confirmed that their teams are actively treating at least 15 injured individuals at the scene in the municipality of Gelida. Eleven ambulances have been deployed to provide immediate medical assistance. The authorities have not yet released comprehensive details regarding the specific conditions of those injured.
Serious Injuries Confirmed
Spanish broadcaster TVE has reported that four people sustained serious injuries in the accident. Among those seriously hurt was the train driver, highlighting the severity of the impact. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about railway safety in Spain following recent tragic events.
Cause of the Collapse
Spain's national railway operator, ADIF, has indicated that the containment wall likely collapsed due to heavy rainfall that has affected Catalonia throughout this week. This adverse weather condition appears to have compromised the structural integrity of the wall, leading to its failure onto the tracks.
Context of Recent Train Accidents
This accident near Barcelona follows closely on the heels of a catastrophic collision between two high-speed trains in Andalucía, which resulted in significant loss of life and injuries. The proximity of these incidents has raised questions about infrastructure maintenance and safety protocols across Spain's railway network.
The region's civil protection agency stated on social media that "a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks, causing an accident involving a passenger train." This official confirmation aligns with initial reports from the scene, detailing the sequence of events that led to the emergency response.
