Two more trains derail in Spain, this time on the Rodalies de Catalonia rail network

New accidents following the Adamuz disaster just days ago. This time the affected services are in Catalonia.

Reuters reveals the discovery of a broken joint on one of the tracks in the Adamuz accident
Information about the tragic accident involving two derailed trains in Adamuz

+ UPDATED 0:32h: At 0:02h CET, the Civil Protection of Catalonia has reported that in the accident in Gélida there is one dead and 37 injured, 5 of them in serious condition, 6 in less serious condition and 26 in minor condition.

+ UPDATED 0:15h: Rodalies de Cataluña has published this telephone number for family support: 900 101 660.

+ UPDATED 23:57h: Photo published by the Firefighters of Catalonia showing the train involved in the accident on the R4 line between Gélida and Martorell (Barcelona).

+ UPDATED 23:51h: ADIF Statement: "Adif maintains the suspension of rail traffic on the Rodalies network due to the effects the storm is having on the infrastructure." ADIF adds: "Service will be restored once the infrastructure has been inspected and it has been verified that it is free of any obstructions that may have fallen on it."

+ UPDATED 11:47 PM: News in Europa Press: "Train drivers ask to stop the Rodalies service "until further notice" after the derailments due to the storm in Catalonia". This agency points out that the Spanish Union of Railway Drivers (SEMAF) has made this request "given the passivity of the competent authorities and the lack of guarantees regarding the safety of both passengers and professionals".

The Rodalies de Catalunya network, an entity formed by the Generalitat of Catalonia and the Ministry of Transport and whose trains are operated by Renfe, has been affected today by two derailments. The Rodalies website has published a statement about what happened.

The first of these took place at 20:20 CET on the R1 line between the Massanet-Massanas and Tordera stations (Girona), where a Rodalies commuter train derailed due to stones on the tracks. The train struck a rock and lost one of its axles. Only 10 passengers were on board. According to Rodalies, there have been no injuries on this train.

The second accident occurred at 22:00 CET on the R4 line between Gélida and Martorell (Barcelona) in this case due to a wall collapse. Everything points to both accidents being related to Storm Harry's passage through Catalonia. The Catalan Medical Emergency Service (SEM) has reported that 15 people were affected in this second accident. At 22:50 CET, Cadena SER has reported that the train driver of this train has died. At 22:46 CET, Civil Protection of Catalonia has indicated that there are 15 injured passengers, 5 of them in serious condition.

Here you can see two photos of the Gélida accident. I tried unsuccessfully to find the source, but from what I can see, the first media outlet to publish them was Metrópoli Abierta. In the second photo, there is an injured woman on the ground. Out of respect for this victim, I have blurred her.

The railway infrastructure of Rodalies de Catalunya depends on ADIF, a public company dependent on the Ministry of Transport. Following the Adamuz accident, ADIF has decided to limit the speed to 160 km/h on 150 kilometers of the Madrid-Barcelona section due to the condition of the track, as reported by Cadena SER this afternoon at 3:35 PM CET. This is a situation that railway staff and passengers have been denouncing for some time.

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Photo: Rodalies de Catalunya.