Spain’s state-owned railway infrastructure manager Adif issued eight warnings about incidents near train crash site

The rail infrastructure manager Adif issued up to eight warnings about incidents on the Madrid to Andalusia high-speed rail line near Adamuz in the province of Córdoba, where the tragic accident involving two trains operated by Iryo and Renfe occurred.

The matter reached Spain’s parliament, specifically the Senate, months earlier through a question submitted by the Popular Party to the government. The main opposition party pointed to two technical incidents affecting signaling systems on the stretch between Adamuz and Villanueva de Córdoba that caused delays.

The first incident, reported by El País, was related to the expansion devices on a viaduct that came into contact with the rail. According to the government, it was caused by high temperatures and vibrations generated by rail traffic. A specialized maintenance crew responsible for track switches resolved the issue.

The second incident was traced to a relay card. The government explained that it was replaced with a new one in order to restore the system’s operability. The authorities added that both incidents were definitively resolved.

A 700-million-euro investment

The rail accident occurred at a time when the Madrid to Seville line, the oldest high-speed rail line in Spain, was nearing the final phase of a comprehensive renovation. Adif invested a total of 700 million euros in the project, which included refurbishing viaducts and tunnels, as well as sleepers, ballast, and track switches.

The investment also covered the renewal of various signaling and telecommunications systems, along with video surveillance and security installations, as well as the replacement of overhead power lines. Transport Minister Óscar Puente stated that the causes of what he described as an “extremely unusual” accident are still unknown.

Regarding the Iryo train, the minister said it was modern and less than four years old. He also noted that in May the work to replace switches and turnouts on a line that was fully renovated at the time had been completed.

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