111 trapped in tunnel after second high-speed train breakdown at Barcelona Sants

The second high-speed train breakdown at Barcelona's Sants station in under 24 hours left 111 passengers trapped in a tunnel on Tuesday morning.

Barcelona firefighters and local police were able to evacuate the passengers from the train via the emergency exits two hours after the issue was first reported around 9:20 am, 10 minutes after the scheduled departure time. 

The Girona - Figueres - Vilafant line has been interrupted in both directions due to problems with the overhead line, Spain's state-run railway operator Renfe said.

The 111 people aboard will be transported to their final destinations by bus and receive a refund for their tickets.

Other passengers who were not on the train but who have been affected by cancellations on the line will also receive a refund and will have to take R11 Rodalies commuter trains until the issue is resolved. 

A similar incident took place at the Barcelona Sants station Monday evening in which 94 people were trapped after a train on the same line broke down at the entrance of one of the tunnels. 

The issue was first reported at 8:30 pm and the train was towed to the station two hours later. 

Five passengers missed connecting trains and were forced to spend the night at a hotel in Barcelona that was paid for by Renfe.