A train driver has been killed and at least 37 people injured, five seriously, after a commuter train derailed and crashed near Barcelona two days after a deadly two-train collision in southern Spain.
According to local officials, the Rodalies train derailed between Sant Vicenç de Castellet and Manresa, about 60km (37 miles) north-west of Barcelona, at around 17:20 local time (16:20 GMT) on Friday.
The cause of the derailment is currently unknown.
Catalan regional government head Pere Aragonès said an inquiry had been launched to determine what happened.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of the train driver and we send our condolences to his family and friends,” he said.
Emergency services are at the scene and are working to evacuate passengers from the train.
The accident comes after a collision between two trains near the city of lorca in Murcia, southern Spain, on Wednesday, which killed one person and injured several others. That incident is also under investigation.
Spanish Train Drivers Strike After Two Deadly Crashes
Spanish train drivers’ union Semaf called a strike following two recent rail accidents that resulted in at least 44 deaths. The strikes come after a crash near Gelida, Catalonia, on Tuesday and a collision near Córdoba, Andalusia, on Sunday.
On Sunday, two high-speed trains collided in Adamuz, Andalusia. A Madrid-bound train derailed, crossed onto the opposite tracks, and collided with an oncoming high-speed train. At least 42 people died in the andalusia crash, according to BBC News.
The second accident occurred Tuesday near Gelida, Catalonia, resulting in two fatalities. Details surrounding the gelida crash remain limited, but Semaf cited both incidents as justification for the strike.
Semaf represents a significant portion of Spain’s train drivers. The union has not yet announced the duration or specific details of the strike action.
