The death toll in a serious train crash near Adamas in Andalusia has risen to 45 after emergency services found two more bodies yesterday. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, the Spanish EFE news agency reported, quoted by BTA.
On January 18, a high-speed train bound for Madrid derailed into an adjacent track, where it collided with another moving train. Of the 45 confirmed victims in the crash, 43 have been identified - 22 women and 21 men, including a minor. Forty of the dead were Spanish citizens, while three were Russian, German and Moroccan.
Thirty-one people out of a total of 123 injured remain in various hospitals. Six of the injured have been discharged, the regional government of Andalusia said.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente said he found it "hard to believe" that the accident was caused by the train of the private company "Irio". He cited problems with the infrastructure and the tracks as a possible cause. The minister added that the track had recently been repaired and had passed all inspections.
The Commission for the Investigation of Railway Accidents said that the most likely hypothesis at this stage was a broken rail or a faulty weld. According to a government report, no incidents have been recorded on this section since 2021.
The Civil Guard has completed its inspection of the site and submitted its initial report to the court, the Ministry of Interior announced.
Meanwhile, the train drivers' union said that hundreds of train drivers had reported problems with the infrastructure operator's network without receiving an adequate response. According to the union, investments are being made in new construction and reconstruction, but not enough in preventive maintenance.