Death toll rises in train collision in Spain

Preliminary findings indicate that a technical failure, followed by a series of human errors, led to the accident, Spanish news outlet El Diario reports.

The problems began at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, when a software malfunction caused the LZB rail traffic control system to stop functioning.

Despite this, the control centre instructed the driver of a Renfe AVE train to continue travelling at normal speed. According to media reports, this was contrary to railway safety protocols, which require trains to travel at a speed appropriate to visibility under such circumstances, not exceeding 40 kilometres per hour.

A similar instruction was given to the driver of an Iryo train. However, at 8:48 a.m., the driver informed the control centre that her train was still stopped on the tracks and had been unable to resume its journey.

According to the information available, no one noticed at that point that another train was approaching the stationary Iryo train at high speed.

The investigation must determine why trains continued operating under normal conditions despite the safety system being out of service, as well as why the Iryo train failed to move from the location where it had stopped.

When the LZB system is not working, rail traffic is managed using conventional trackside signals, while the ASFA automatic braking system provides an additional layer of protection. Under such circumstances, according to the railway rules cited in the report, train drivers must adjust their speed so that they can stop the train if they spot an obstacle.

The investigation into the causes of the accident is ongoing.