Spain's railway network has been struck by yet another serious incident, marking the third significant train crash to occur within a matter of days. A commuter train operated by FEVE collided with a construction crane on Thursday, resulting in multiple injuries and further raising concerns about rail safety across the country.
Details of the Latest Collision
The accident occurred around midday on Thursday near the area of Alumbres, close to the city of Cartagena in southern Spain. Initial reports from state broadcaster TVE indicate that one person sustained serious injuries in the collision, with several others also reported to be hurt. The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation, but preliminary information suggests the FEVE-operated train struck a crane during its journey.
A Troubling Pattern of Rail Incidents
This latest crash follows two other serious train accidents that have shaken Spain's rail infrastructure in recent days. On Sunday, a devastating high-speed train collision in the Andalusia region claimed the lives of at least forty-three people. Then, on Tuesday, another fatal accident occurred in northeastern Catalonia, resulting in the death of the train driver.
The frequency of these incidents has prompted growing scrutiny of Spain's railway safety protocols and maintenance procedures. Spanish rail operator Adif addressed Thursday's incident on social media platform X, stating that traffic on the affected line had been interrupted due to 'the intrusion into the infrastructure gauge by a crane not belonging to the railway operation'. The operator provided no further details about how the crane came to be in the train's path.
Ongoing Investigations and Safety Concerns
Authorities have launched investigations into all three recent train crashes, with particular attention being paid to Thursday's crane collision. The fact that non-railway equipment was able to intrude upon active train lines raises significant questions about perimeter security and construction safety protocols near railway infrastructure.
Rail transport experts are calling for comprehensive reviews of safety measures across Spain's extensive rail network, which includes both high-speed intercity services and regional commuter lines like the FEVE system involved in Thursday's incident. The consecutive nature of these accidents has created a sense of urgency around addressing potential systemic issues.
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene near Cartagena, providing medical assistance to those injured and securing the area. The disruption to rail services in the region is expected to continue while investigators examine the crash site and work to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the collision.
This developing story represents another blow to Spain's railway system, which has generally maintained a strong safety record in recent years. The concentration of three serious incidents within such a short timeframe is highly unusual and has understandably generated considerable public concern about travel safety.
