Spain's Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, has described the train accident that occurred on Sunday in the town of Adamuz in Córdoba as "extremely unusual." The derailment of an Iryo train resulted in the loss of at least 21 lives and left 30 others injured.
In the early hours of Monday, Puente addressed the media from the Adif facilities at Atocha Station in Madrid, where he provided initial details about the tragedy and emphasized the peculiar nature of the incident.
"It's rare, very rare, and difficult to explain at this moment," he stated, as reported by the newspaper El País.
The Transport Minister mentioned that railway experts he consulted with during the night were "extremely puzzled" by the circumstances surrounding the accident.
According to Puente, both the tracks and the train were recently manufactured. "The tracks were renovated this spring, and the Iryo train is less than four years old. All materials were practically new," he explained. Puente plans to travel to Córdoba to oversee the emergency response efforts.
Furthermore, the minister announced the formation of an independent commission tasked with investigating the incident. "At this moment, we cannot speculate whether it was the rolling stock or the track. We simply don't know yet," he asserted.
Official reports indicate that the accident occurred on a straight section of the railway, where replacement of turnouts and switches was completed last May, a project with an investment of 700 million euros.
The first two carriages of the Alvia train, carrying 53 passengers, were most severely impacted as they fell down an embankment following the derailment. Firefighters and Civil Protection teams concentrated their rescue efforts in that area throughout the night.
Puente indicated that the investigation's findings might take several days, stressing that this is a "truly unusual" event. Local authorities have declared an official mourning period, and the government has expressed its condolences to the victims' families.
"We hope the investigation will help us clarify what exactly happened," concluded the minister.
Key Details on the Córdoba Train Accident
What was the cause of the train accident in Córdoba?
The exact cause of the train accident in Córdoba is still under investigation. An independent commission has been established to determine whether it was due to the rolling stock or the tracks.
How many people were affected by the train derailment?
The train derailment in Córdoba resulted in at least 21 fatalities and left 30 people injured.
What steps are being taken following the accident?
An independent investigation has been launched to uncover the cause of the accident. Additionally, the Transport Minister will visit Córdoba to oversee emergency operations.