Train Tracks Cracked Before Deadly Crash in Spain

Investigation Reveals Pre-Existing Track Damage

In Spain, a high-speed train disaster last Sunday resulted in 45 fatalities. Investigators discovered a significant crack in the train tracks prior to the crash.

The privately-operated train derailed, with its last three carriages colliding with an oncoming state-operated train from the opposite direction.

Key Findings from the Investigation

• Deep grooves found on the train's wheels.
• Three other trains that used the same tracks earlier that day had similar grooves, indicating pre-existing track damage.

Timeline of the Incident

• 7:45 PM local time: The crash occurred about an hour after the train departed Málaga for Madrid.
• Last three carriages derailed and collided with a state-operated train heading to Huelva.
• Most fatalities were in the front carriages of the state train.

Official Response

The Spanish Transport Minister stated that it is too early to determine the exact cause. He noted that if the track crack was the cause, it likely occurred minutes or hours before the derailment and could not have been detected in time.

Historical Context

This accident is Spain's worst rail crash in over a decade. In 2013, another high-speed train derailment in Galicia killed 80 people and injured 140 others.

The incident highlights that train safety remains a critical issue, even with advanced technology.