A preliminary report by Spain’s rail accident investigating body, CIAF, has revealed that a rail fracture likely preceded the high-speed train derailment that killed 45 people in southern Spain last Sunday.
The collision occurred in Adamuz, Cordoba province, when a train from private consortium Iryo derailed and collided with an oncoming high-speed service from state-owned Renfe. According to the CIAF report, “Based on the information available at this time, it can be hypothesised that the rail fracture occurred prior to the passage of the Iryo train involved in the accident and, therefore, prior to the derailment.”
Investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of the rail breakage, with various possibilities still under consideration. Reuters had previously reported the discovery of a broken joint on the track.
The report also noted uniform notches on several of the wheel treads on the right-hand side of the Iryo train, consistent with the wheels striking the top of a rail. A visual comparison suggested these wheel notches matched damage seen on the broken rail section at the derailment site. Similar wheel damage was also found on other trains that had passed through the area before the crash.
CIAF cautioned that the findings must be confirmed by further calculations and detailed analysis. The investigation will also focus on a missing bogie component, which investigators believe could shed light on the cause of the derailment.
A large piece of metal discovered near the site had previously been theorised to be the crucial missing undercarriage component. However, the Civil Guard police force has stated that the piece has been left in the place it was found, as it is too large and heavy to have been collected immediately.
The devastating crash in Adamuz is one of the deadliest train accidents to have occurred in Europe in recent years. Rescue efforts and the ongoing investigation continue as authorities work to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this tragic incident.
