Details have begun to emerge regarding the accident that occurred in Spain yesterday at 08:54 local time when two high-speed trains collided.
El País, one of Spain's leading newspapers, published transcripts of conversations between train drivers and the unit supervisor at the Madrid Atocha Main Station during the incident, in which 68 people lost their lives and over 50 were injured, 15 of them seriously.
According to the records, a system failure occurred at the Urda Train Station, one of the control points on the Madrid-Andalusia line. Following the failure, trains on the route stopped. Due to the system failure, the Madrid Atocha Main Control Center took over the duties of the Urda Train Station.
The audio recordings indicate that two conversations took place between the driver of the stationary Iryo train and the control operator at Atocha, and one conversation took place between the driver of the AVE train coming from behind and the same operator.
AVE TRAIN INSTRUCTED TO PROCEED AT NORMAL SPEED
According to the records, the technician in charge at Atocha instructed the driver of the AVE train, which was 25 kilometers behind the Iryo train, to return to "normal speed" instead of proceeding "within visual range" at a speed limit of 40 kilometers per hour as specified in the protocol.
It was reported that this instruction was given without checking whether there was another train ahead on the line.
The driver of the Iryo train also received instructions to continue "normal driving." However, 7 minutes later, the driver reported that they could not restart the train and that it was still stopped.
Despite this, the AVE train was instructed to proceed at normal speed. It was stated that no warning was issued in the 5 minutes between the notification that the Iryo train had stopped and the moment of the collision.
CONVERSATION BETWEEN AVE DRIVER AND ATOCHA CENTER
The transcript of the conversation published in El País is as follows:
- Yes
- At 08:36.
- Yes
- Train driver number 2080. Turn off the LZB and turn it back on. Continue driving. Then continue driving at normal speed under the protection of the BSL
- At normal speed?
- Yes.
CONVERSATION BETWEEN IRYO AND ATOCHA CENTER
08:41: First conversation with Iryo
- Good morning, Atocha. I lost the signal while traveling on the BSL. The vehicle in front of me is moving at over 200 on lane 113. But I didn't get the signal. I am stopped. At the entrance to Urda.
STATEMENTS TAKEN FROM ATOCHA CONTROL CENTER EMPLOYEES
The investigation into the train accident that occurred near the city of Toledo, Spain, is ongoing.
Following the emergence of the control center records regarding the accident, statements were taken from all employees working at the ADIF railway main control center operating within the Madrid Atocha Train Station.
SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE
One day after the accident, search and rescue operations continued throughout the night in the region.
In the illuminated accident area, heavy machinery and nearly a thousand personnel searched for bodies and survivors in the train carriages. Various resources, including helicopters, drones, and search dogs, were utilized in the efforts.
It was announced that the driver of the AVE high-speed train who lost his life in the accident was Antonio Acedo Meneses. It was stated that the 36-year-old driver's grandfather and father were also railway workers, and that he chose to be a train driver for this reason. It was also stated that trainee driver David Cabanas lost his life in the accident.
LIAISON CENTERS ESTABLISHED FOR RELATIVES
Liaison centers were established in the accident area and in the city of Toledo for the families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured.
Despite this, relatives of passengers living outside of Spain or located far from the accident area continue to make calls on social media to reach their loved ones.
TICKET SALES SUSPENDED ON MADRID-ANDALUSIA ROUTES
Renfe, one of the companies involved in the accident, has suspended ticket sales for train services on the Madrid-Andalusia line until December.
News Source: İHA
