An investigation into the tragic derailment of a high-speed train in Spain on Sunday, claiming the lives of at least 40 individuals, has revealed a broken joint on the rails as a potential cause. The incident occurred near Adamuz in Cordoba, resulting in a collision with another train and a devastating outcome. Emergency services reported that twelve individuals were in intensive care following the accident.
Technicians inspecting the rails at the site discovered wear on a particular joint known as a fishplate, indicating a pre-existing fault that had worsened over time due to train passage. This faulty joint is believed to be crucial in determining the exact cause of the tragedy, according to a source familiar with the investigations.
The Spanish Commission of Investigation of Rail Accidents (CIAF), responsible for the overall inquiry into the incident, has not yet provided comments. Additionally, requests for statements from the Spanish rail operator, Adif, and the transport ministry overseeing the CIAF remain unanswered.
President Álvaro Fernandez Heredia of Renfe, the operator of the second derailed train, mentioned on Cadena Ser radio that discussions on the cause were premature but noted the peculiar circumstances surrounding the accident, suggesting human error was unlikely.
A Spanish train drivers’ union had previously alerted rail operator ADIF about significant wear and tear on high-speed rail tracks, highlighting concerns including frequent breakdowns and damage to trains. These warnings were reportedly disregarded, as no actions were taken by the operator.
Initial findings suggest that the first carriages of the train passed over the rail gap, but the subsequent carriages derailed, with the last carriage triggering the derailment of others. The investigation revealed a gap in the vertical rail, as depicted in photographs shared by Spain’s Guardia Civil.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Transport Minister Oscar Puente visited the crash site, with Sanchez cancelling his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos in light of the accident. Puente stated that the train involved was relatively new, and the track had undergone recent renovations. Routine maintenance checks performed by the train manufacturer, Hitachi Rail, prior to the incident had not flagged any irregularities.
The train in question is a Frecciarossa 1000, similar to those used in Italy’s high-speed rail network. Global Affairs Canada confirmed that there were no reported impacts on Canadian citizens in the derailment.