Initial technical findings regarding the high-speed train accident that occurred in Spain on October 28, which claimed the lives of 69 people, have begun to emerge. In the disaster that took place near Urda in the Toledo region, it is estimated that the speed of the high-speed train operated by Renfe at the moment of impact with the stationary Iryo train on the tracks was between 160 and 200 kilometers per hour.
According to the assessment in the preliminary report prepared by the Spanish Independent Technical Accident Investigation Commission (AITAT), the exact speed will be determined after the records in the train's black box are examined. While information reflected in the press states that the train's speed reached up to 236 kilometers per hour before the collision, it is noted that this data refers to the previous cruising speed rather than the moment of impact.
IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION CONTINUE
According to information shared by Spanish authorities on November 2, 66 of the 69 people who lost their lives in the accident have been identified. Among those identified are 54 Spanish citizens and 12 foreign nationals.
It was announced that 4 of the deceased foreigners were US citizens; the others were from Argentina, Canada, Czechia, France, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, and Tunisia. Efforts are ongoing for the 3 people who have not yet been identified, and it was reported that missing person reports were filed for two Australian citizens and one Japanese citizen.
At the center of the investigation are failures in the railway safety system and instructions given by the control center. According to initial findings, the trains stopped automatically due to a technical problem on the line. It is stated that while the Iryo train was waiting on the tracks, the Renfe train coming from behind was cleared to move again.
Spanish Minister of Transport Óscar Puente said in his statements following the accident that the decision to allow the train to move again was erroneous. Authorities will examine the black box data, the actions of the train drivers, the braking process, signal records, and communications with the control center in detail.
News Source: 12punto
