Commuter train derailment in Gelida kills one and injures 37

A commuter train derailment in Gelida, near Barcelona, killed one person and injured 37 on Tuesday night, and regional authorities said train service in Catalonia would be suspended until it is safe to resume. Five of the injured were in serious condition, the Catalonian Emergency Medical Services said, and 17 people were taken to local hospitals.

Spanish newspaper El País reported that the person who died was an employee of the train company. The derailment occurred when a retaining wall fell onto the Rodalies Catalunya R4 line in Gelida, and the Catalonian Fire Department said one person had to be rescued. Adif, the train authority, said service on the line was suspended because of damage to infrastructure from a storm; the Catalonian Meteorological Service said the region had five consecutive days of rain.

Over 70 firefighters responded, both the train and the collapsed wall were stabilized and the train was emptied, and a support center was opened for relatives, officials said. The Central Airport and Public Transport Area, which investigates railway accidents, is on the scene, the Catalonian Police said.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on social media that he was aware of the crash, saying, "All my love and sympathy with the victims and their families." Authorities are on site and investigating the incident.

Key Topics

World, Gelida, Catalonia, Adif, Pedro Sánchez