Several injured in Spanish train collision outside Barcelona
Emergency services have reported that around 155 people have |
Local media reported that the trains were traveling in the same
direction and collided while one was standing at a station.
The incident occurred at around 07:50 (06:50 GMT) at a station in
Spain's northeastern Catalonia region.
Catalan police are investigating how the incident happened. The
accident took place at Manresa station, about 12 km from the city center.
Emergency service official Joan Carles Gomez told reporters at the
scene that 155 people were injured in the collision, of which 14 passengers
were transferred to a local medical center for further treatment.
"We are seeing deep cuts and head injuries, but nothing to
panic about," he said, adding that the passengers were being examined to
"check for any fractures."
Mr. Gomes said the train was traveling very slowly at the time of
the collision. But those who stood fell and were wounded.
A regional fire service spokesman said the moving train collided
with the "rear end" of a train parked at the station.
Train services on several lines were briefly affected due to the
accident, local officials said.
A passenger told the Ser Catalunya outlet that he was hit hard by
the collision and there were people screaming.
A female passenger said that she saw people covered in blood as they
had sustained deep injuries due to the forceful impact.
Spanish Transport Minister Raquel Sanchez said that she is closely
monitoring the situation and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
In recent years, there have been several accidents in Catalonia's
regional train system. Regional authorities have blamed a lack of rail funding
from the central government.
The president of Catalonia's regional government, Pere Aragonés I
García, has demanded an urgent explanation from rail operator Renfe and the Spanish
government about the causes of the accident.
And regional assembly speaker Laura Boras said such an incident
should not happen again.
He wrote on Twitter that "Catalans deserve safe" rail
transport.
Desitjo una ràpida recuperació als ferits de l’accident de trens que hi ha hagut a Montcada. Resoldre el desastre de @rodalies és una necessitat imperiosa: els catalans mereixem trens signes i segurs. Eficiència i seguretat perquè la gratuïtat no emmascara una pèssima gestió! https://t.co/iqxOFGWCUY
— Laura Borràs 🎗 (@LauraBorras) December 7, 2022
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