A commuter train struck a collapsed retaining wall near Barcelona

A commuter train struck a collapsed retaining wall near Barcelona on Tuesday night, killing its driver and injuring 37 passengers, four of whom are in critical condition, Spanish emergency officials have confirmed.

The accident occurred between Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and Gelida in Catalonia, northeastern Spain. According to the regional fire service spokesperson, Claudi Gallardo, emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after the incident was reported.

The crash happened just two days after a separate and devastating collision involving two high-speed trains in Andalucía, southern Spain, which claimed at least 42 lives and left dozens injured.

Catalonia’s civil protection agency said the accident was caused when a retaining wall collapsed onto the railway tracks, leading to the derailment of the commuter train. Emergency authorities deployed 20 ambulances and 38 firefighting units to manage the rescue operation.

Firefighters confirmed that all passengers had been evacuated from the train carriages. Officials said teams were inspecting the underside of the train and surrounding area to ensure no additional victims were trapped.

Spain’s rail infrastructure operator, Adif, suggested that heavy rainfall in the region earlier in the week may have weakened the wall, causing it to collapse.

The derailment occurred in an area where rail services have long suffered from underfunding and recurring safety concerns. Meanwhile, rescue workers continued searching for victims from Sunday’s deadly train crash in Andalucía as the country entered a three-day period of national mourning.