Spain Hit by Second Deadly Train Accident in Days

Spain has witnessed another tragic rail accident after a commuter train derailed near Barcelona on Tuesday night, killing the driver and injuring at least 37 passengers. The incident comes just two days after a deadly high-speed train collision in southern Spain that left more than 40 people dead.

The latest accident has raised serious concerns about railway safety as extreme weather conditions hit parts of the country.

Retaining Wall Collapse Causes Derailment

According to regional authorities, the commuter train was travelling on the Rodalies R4 line when it struck a retaining wall that had collapsed onto the tracks near the town of Gelida, about 35 kilometres west of Barcelona.

Officials believe heavy rainfall weakened the wall, causing it to fall just as the train was passing through the area. The wall struck the driver’s cabin first, leading to the derailment and severe damage to the front carriage.

Train Driver Dies, Passengers Injured

Emergency services confirmed that the train driver died despite immediate medical assistance at the scene. Of the 37 injured passengers, five were reported to be in serious condition, while others suffered minor injuries.

Most of the injured were travelling in the first carriage, which absorbed the main impact of the crash. Firefighters said it took nearly an hour to rescue one trapped survivor from the damaged train.

Emergency Response and Hospitalisations

More than 20 ambulances and dozens of fire and rescue units were deployed to the site. Injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals, including facilities in Moisès Broggi, Bellvitge, Vilafranca, and surrounding areas.

Authorities secured the crash zone and safely evacuated all passengers from the train.

Rail Services Suspended Across Catalonia

Following the derailment, train services across Catalonia’s Rodalies commuter rail network were fully suspended for safety inspections. Officials said services would resume only after tracks and infrastructure are declared safe.

Around 400,000 daily commuters are expected to be affected by the disruption.

Second Major Rail Disaster in Spain This Week

The accident occurred just days after a devastating collision between two high-speed trains near Adamuz in the southern region of Andalusia. That crash killed at least 42 people and injured dozens, marking one of Spain’s worst rail disasters in over a decade.

In response to the two fatal incidents, Spain’s train drivers’ union, Semaf, announced a strike, calling the current condition of the rail system “unacceptable.”

Weather Conditions Under Scrutiny

Local officials believe the sudden heavy rain, following months of drought, may have weakened rail-side structures. Storms have placed several regions of Spain on high weather alert.

On the same day, another commuter train in northeastern Spain also derailed after a rock dislodged by storms struck the axle, though no serious injuries were reported.

Government Reacts to Tragedy

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences to the victims and their families, while senior ministers travelled to the crash site to assess the situation.

Although Spain’s high-speed rail network is considered one of Europe’s most reliable, recent events have renewed focus on commuter rail safety and infrastructure maintenance.