Train Crash in Santiago De Compostella, Spain - 24/7/13

DIfferent_Trains · #1 ● 07-25-2013, 09:10 AM

Lots of pictures still emerging. There were lots of witnesses, so I'm sure I'll be able to add more here later.

The train crash near Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on July 24, 2013, was one of the deadliest rail accidents in recent European history.

The accident occurred in the region of Galicia, near the city of Santiago de Compostela. It happened in the evening, on the eve of the Feast of Saint James, a major festival attracting pilgrims and tourists to the area.

A high-speed passenger train, operating on the Alvia line, derailed as it was approaching the station in Santiago de Compostela. The train, which was traveling from Madrid to Ferrol, came off the tracks on a sharp bend.

The crash resulted in 79 deaths and over 140 injuries. The high number of casualties made it the most severe rail accident in Spain since 1944.

Investigations into the crash revealed that the train was traveling at more than twice the speed limit for the section of track where it derailed. The train's data recorder showed it was traveling at 179 km/h (111 mph) in a zone limited to 80 km/h (50 mph).

The train's driver, Francisco José Garzón Amo, admitted to taking the curve too fast, acknowledging that he had been momentarily distracted. He was subsequently charged with 79 counts of homicide by professional recklessness and an analogous number of counts of causing injury.

The accident brought scrutiny to Spain's high-speed rail system, including questions about safety measures and speed regulations. There was also a discussion about the balance between high-speed travel and safety in modern rail systems.

Following the crash, Spanish railway authorities implemented additional safety protocols, including more rigorous speed checks and enhanced automatic braking systems on some routes. The crash had a significant impact on the public's perception of rail safety and led to changes in operational procedures across the rail network in Spain.

kondetsi · #2 ● 07-25-2013, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the post.

It's funny how when something shows up in the news these days the first thing I do is check out DR to see some intestines flying around.