Rail Fracture Likely Caused Deadly High-Speed Train Crash in Southern Spain

Post by : Saif Nasser

Spanish investigators have said that a fracture in the railway track likely happened before a deadly high-speed train crash in southern Spain earlier this week. The finding comes from a preliminary report released by Spain’s rail accident investigation body, known as CIAF.

The tragic accident took place on Sunday near the town of Adamuz in the Cordoba province. It involved two high-speed trains and resulted in the deaths of 45 people, making it one of the worst rail disasters in Europe in recent years.

According to investigators, a high-speed train operated by Iryo first derailed after passing over a damaged section of track. Moments later, it collided with another oncoming high-speed train operated by Spain’s state-owned rail company, Renfe. Both trains were badly damaged, and the crash caused widespread shock across the country.

In its early findings, CIAF said there is strong evidence suggesting that the rail broke before the Iryo train passed over it. This means the damage to the track likely caused the derailment, rather than being a result of the crash itself. Investigators stressed that this is still a working theory and that the exact cause of the rail fracture has not yet been confirmed.

The report explained that investigators found clear signs of damage on the wheels of the Iryo train. Several wheels on the right side of the train had similar marks and notches. These marks match the damage seen on the broken section of the rail at the crash site. This suggests that the wheels struck the top of the fractured rail as the train moved forward.

Investigators also discovered similar wheel damage on other trains that had passed through the same area before the accident. This finding raises serious concerns about track safety and whether the damage went unnoticed before the deadly crash.

At this stage, CIAF has not ruled out any possible causes of the rail break. Officials said further technical checks, material tests, and reviews of maintenance records will be carried out in the coming weeks. The investigation is expected to take time, as experts work carefully to understand what went wrong.

Spain’s Transport Ministry has not yet commented on the findings. Iryo’s majority owner, the Italian state-controlled railway group Ferrovie dello Stato, also declined to respond to the preliminary report.

As families mourn the victims, many are calling for clear answers and stronger safety measures to prevent such disasters in the future. Authorities have promised a full and transparent investigation to determine responsibility and improve rail safety across the country.