A crane arm collided with a train carrying more than a dozen passengers in south-east Spain, resulting in minor injuries to six people in Alumbres, near Murcia, around midday. This incident occurred shortly after Spain’s recent railway disasters. The worst one since 2013 took place in Adamuz, Cordoba, where 43 people perished in a high-speed train collision. Subsequently, a train derailment near Barcelona claimed the life of the driver and left 37 others injured, five seriously.
Noelia Arroyo, the mayor of Cartagena, reported a minor injury incident involving a train hitting an elevated work platform while passing near Los Partidarios. The collision broke at least one window, leading to minor injuries among six passengers who were promptly treated by medical teams.
In response to the recent tragic accidents, Spain’s main train drivers’ union initiated a three-day nationwide strike from February 9 to 11, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures in railway operations. The union SEMAF stressed the importance of holding accountable those responsible for ensuring railway safety.
Emergency services confirmed that four of the injured passengers were taken to Santa Lucía Hospital, while the remaining two were transported to Virgen del Rosell Hospital for evaluation. The injured individuals include two 18-year-old men, a 62-year-old woman, a 74-year-old woman, and two others aged 26 and 50.
Adif, the Spanish rail operator, announced the suspension of traffic on the affected line due to a crane intrusion not related to railway operations. Despite the collision involving 16 passengers, only minor injuries were reported, with one person receiving treatment for cuts and two others for anxiety attacks.
Footage from the scene near Murcia’s Cartagena showcased the presence of various emergency services, including police and firefighters, responding to the incident. Fortunately, the train did not overturn or derail according to a spokesperson from the region’s emergency services.
The collision occurred at Los Partidarios around midday local time, as confirmed by the Murcia region’s Emergency Coordination Centre. This incident follows closely after the recent deadly train crashes in southern Spain, underscoring the imperative of ensuring railway safety to avert such tragedies in the future.