A commuter train in Barcelona crashed on Tuesday after a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks, killing at least one person and injuring 37 others, Spanish regional authorities reported.
The accident in Catalonia, northeastern Spain, occurred just two days after a separate train collision in the south of the country killed at least 42 people and injured dozens more. Emergency workers are still searching for victims from Sunday’s tragedy, which took place roughly 800 kilometres from Barcelona, as Spain observes three days of national mourning.
Of those affected by Tuesday’s crash, five sustained serious injuries and six were reported in a less serious condition. Emergency services dispatched 20 ambulances to the scene, with most injured passengers, who had been riding in the first train car, transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity with the victims, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “All my affection and solidarity with the victims and their families.”
While Spain’s high-speed rail network is generally reliable, commuter lines have occasionally faced operational issues. Fatal or serious accidents remain rare.
The train derailment occurred near the town of Gelida, about 35 minutes from central Barcelona. Spain’s railway operator, ADIF, stated that heavy rainfall in the region likely caused the containment wall to collapse. Commuter train services along the affected line have been suspended.
