Spain Train Crash 2026 Investigation: The 30cm Rail Gap
The Spain train crash 2026 investigation focuses on a 30cm rail gap that killed 41 people. Discover the latest on the Adamuz rail disaster and driver warnings.
A tiny fracture in the steel led to a massive catastrophe. At least 41 people are confirmed dead and more than 120 injured after two trains collided near Adamuz, {keyword:Spain. On the evening of {stat:January 18, 2026, a Madrid-bound train derailed and crossed into the path of an oncoming service, marking the country's deadliest rail disaster in over a decade.
Spain Train Crash 2026 Investigation: Probing the Critical Failure
Investigators are focusing on a 30cm gap found in one of the rails, which reports suggest may have been caused by a "deteriorated" or "bad" weld. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez canceled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos to oversee the response. While Renfe President Álvaro Fernández Heredia ruled out human error, pointing to automated safety systems, questions about infrastructure maintenance are mounting.
Warnings Ignored: The Case for Maintenance Failure
According to El País, it's still unclear if the rail fault was the cause or a consequence of the impact. However, the driver's union previously cautioned that the increased frequency and weight of high-speed trains were stressing the tracks beyond their limits. Transport Minister {keyword:Óscar Puente described the event as "extremely strange," as the derailment occurred on a straight stretch where both trains were under the 250kph limit.
It felt like an earthquake. I was in the first carriage when the train derailed.
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