Spain faces third train incident in days, several hurt

As many as six people have sustained minor injuries after a narrow-gauge (FEVE) train collided with the arm of a crane in Cartagena.

The train grazed the crane arm, which had encroached onto the track, shattering one window. No derailment was reported, Caliber.Az reports via Spanish media.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed that efforts are underway to resume the Rodalies commuter service in Catalonia, suspended for a second day due to a strike by train drivers.

Puente acknowledged the emotional strain on staff, following the deaths of two colleagues in recent days, but urged drivers to “reduce the emotional intensity” to help resolve the situation. 

Drivers have argued that safety cannot be guaranteed, despite Puente noting that Adif inspected all infrastructure on Wednesday.

In Córdoba, work resumed early on January 22 in Adamuz to examine and remove the trains involved in Sunday’s crash, which has claimed at least 43 lives. Authorities aim to determine the cause of the disaster as the investigation enters its fourth day.

The first major crash struck on January 18 near Adamuz in Córdoba province when an Iryo high‑speed train travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed, its rear carriages crossing onto the opposite track. Shortly after, a Renfe Alvia train heading from Madrid to Huelva collided with the derailed cars.

The impact was devastating — at least 43 people were killed and nearly 300 injured, with dozens needing hospital treatment and many in critical condition. Emergency teams and volunteers worked through difficult terrain to rescue survivors and recover victims. In response, the Spanish government declared days of national mourning and launched an investigation into the cause, while rail unions warned of deteriorating infrastructure and demanded safety improvements.

Just two days later, on January 20, a commuter train on the Rodalies de Catalunya network derailed near Gelida, near Barcelona, after a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks, likely due to heavy rainfall. In that accident, a trainee driver was killed and at least 37 passengers injured.

Rail services in Catalonia were suspended for safety checks, and unions again called for urgent infrastructure reform.

By Aghakazim Guliyev