Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 04:05 am
In Spain’s worst rail accident in decades, an eight-carriage, high-speed Alvia 04155 train veered off the track on a sharp bend near the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela, slammed into a concrete wall, and burst into flames.
Train Driver and Traffic Safety Chief Convicted
Madrid: A Spanish train driver and a former traffic safety chief at national rail infrastructure operator ADIF were sentenced on Friday to two-and-a-half years in prison over a train disaster that killed 79 people 11 years ago.
Causes of the Derailment
Presiding judge Elena Fernandez Curras stated that two elements caused the derailment: the driver got distracted when receiving a call, and there was no safety system in place in case the driver did not respect the speed limit.
Compensation and Damages
The defendants and the insurance companies of ADIF and Renfe were sentenced to pay 25 million euros ($27.14 million) in damages to the victims in the civil part of the trial.
Aftermath and Safety Measures
Following the crash, ADIF identified more than 300 spots on the Spanish railway network where speed changes were needed. The judicial investigation into the crash was complex and took years, with the trial running for 10 months. Only two of more than 20 people investigated were eventually put on trial.
Revision of Death Count
Judge Fernandez revised down the official death count to 79 from 80 as she considered one of the passengers, who passed away weeks after the crash, died as a result of a serious illness he was suffering from, and not the injuries. However, his relatives will still be compensated as he was injured in the crash.
Conclusion
This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of safety measures and vigilance in rail operations to prevent such disasters in the future.
