A fracture in a straight section of track "occurred prior to the passage" of a high-speed train that derailed last Sunday in Spain, causing the deaths of 45 people, according to an initial report by the CIAF rail investigation commission. The train, operated by private company Iryo, derailed, and its rear carriages crossed onto the opposite track, colliding with an oncoming train run by state-owned Renfe.
The deadly collision occurred at approximately 19:45 local time (18:45 GMT) about an hour after the Iryo train departed Málaga for Madrid. The train's last three carriages, carriages six to eight, derailed and collided with the Huelva-bound Renfe train. According to the report, "Carriage six derailed due to a complete lack of continuity in t." The investigation has focused on a gap of almost 40cm (15in) in the track.
The CIAF also reported that the front carriages of the Iryo train, which remained on the track, had "notches" in their wheels. Furthermore, grooves were found on the wheels of the Iryo train that had already passed over the track before the derailment. The commission stated that three earlier trains that went over the track also had similar notches.
The incident raises questions about track maintenance and inspection protocols. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fracture and whether preventative measures could have been taken. The findings will be crucial in understanding the sequence of events leading to the derailment and in implementing safety improvements to prevent future accidents.
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