Spain’s Adamuz train crash: Broken rail, lost bogie raise questions

Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente acknowledged the “undeniable possibility” that a defect in the track caused the Adamuz rail crash, which has claimed 43 lives.

The minister cited “marks” detected on the Iryo train’s wheels and on other trains that previously ran on the same section, Caliber.Az reports via Spanish media.

However, he stressed that no theory, except human error, has been ruled out.

Puente described the accident as “extremely complex” and unprecedented, dismissing suggestions that it was linked to increased traffic following sector liberalisation or a lack of investment in rail infrastructure.

Concerns had been raised previously over abnormal vibrations on the line, reported by both train drivers’ unions and passengers. Experts described them as “absolutely abnormal,” indicating that the track should have undergone a more thorough inspection. Yet Puente stopped short of linking these vibrations directly to the crash and ruled out a general audit, insisting that Spain’s rail network complies with European safety standards.

The minister also addressed visible breaks in the track, noting it is unclear whether they were “cause, effect, or part of both,” as multiple sections were found damaged, not only at the suspected derailment point.

Officials explained that the speed of the trains—200 km/h and 204 km/h—was below the 250 km/h limit, ruling out driver error. The centre of command, they said, was unaware that some train cars had fallen down an embankment until after the incident, a delay attributed to high-speed operations and nighttime conditions.

Questions over safety measures also arose after a bogie from the Iryo train was found in a nearby stream. Puente confirmed it had been documented and photographed by authorities, dismissing concerns over its custody.

Finally, Puente referenced a separate fatal incident in Gelida, Barcelona, where a falling retaining wall struck a Rodalies train. He noted that responsibility for the wall’s maintenance was unclear, linking the tragedy to “underfunding” and deteriorating infrastructure.

While investigations continue, Puente emphasised that all hypotheses remain open, with track defects, prior vibrations, and infrastructure issues under scrutiny, but human error has been excluded as a cause.

By Aghakazim Guliyev