At least one person was killed and 37 others injured after a commuter train crashed in northeastern Spain on Tuesday when a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks, regional authorities said.
Retaining wall collapse triggers derailment
The accident occurred in Catalonia, near Barcelona, when a section of a retaining wall gave way and fell onto the railway line moments before the train passed. The impact caused the train to derail, leading to panic among passengers during the busy commute hours.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, evacuating injured passengers and transporting them to nearby hospitals. Authorities said several of the injured were in serious condition, though no updated fatalities beyond the confirmed death had been reported at the time of filing this report.
Second major rail tragedy in days
The crash comes just two days after another devastating train accident in southern Spain, where a collision killed at least 42 people and injured dozens more. The back-to-back rail disasters have raised urgent concerns over infrastructure safety and maintenance across the country.
Spanish rail authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the retaining wall collapse, examining whether recent weather conditions or structural weaknesses played a role.
Authorities promise full probe
Regional officials said rail traffic on the affected line has been suspended, and inspections are underway on similar structures across the network to prevent further incidents. Passengers have been advised to expect delays and diversions.
The latest tragedy has sparked renewed debate in Spain over ageing rail infrastructure and the need for enhanced safety audits, particularly in densely populated urban regions.