A fracture in a straight section of track occurred prior to the passage of a high-speed train that derailed, causing last Sunday's rail disaster that resulted in 45 deaths, according to an initial report.
A train operated by the private company Iryo derailed and its rear carriages crossed onto the opposite track, colliding with an oncoming train from state-owned Renfe.
The CIAF rail investigation commission found not only did the Iryo train's front carriages have notches in their wheels, but three earlier trains that passed over the track exhibited similar wear. A gap of nearly 40 cm in the track has now become the focal point of the investigation.
Sunday's deadly collision occurred around 19:45 local time, shortly after the Iryo train had departed Málaga for Madrid. The last three carriages derailed and collided with the Renfe train, with preliminary findings stating carriage six derailed due to a complete lack of continuity in the track. Most fatalities occurred among passengers in the front carriages of the state-operated train.
Evidence of grooves found on the Iryo train wheels suggests pre-existing issues with the track, as confirmed by Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente. The CIAF report indicates that three trains in succession before the collision also encountered similar track deformities.
This incident is Spain's deadliest rail disaster in over a decade, reminiscent of the 2013 derailment in Galicia, which claimed 80 lives. The CIAF labeled its findings as a working hypothesis, emphasizing that further analysis is required to substantiate the cause of the crash.
Authorities are under pressure to address the safety of the high-speed rail network, as this event has raised questions about the adequacy of maintenance and monitoring systems in place.
