One dead in rail accident just outside Barcelona

The driver of a passenger train has died after a freight train derailed near the station of Sant Boi, just outside Barcelona, leading to a collision. 

The accident occurred on Monday afternoon at 6.09pm between the stations of Sant Boi and Molí Nou. The driver of the passenger train died as a result of the impact of the collision.

Civil Protection authorities reported that about 150 people were traveling on the train, 2 of whom suffered non-serious injuries and a further 84 of whom suffered minor injuries. 77 were discharged on the spot after being treated by the emergency services, while the remainder were transferred to Moisès Broggi Hospital (2), Sant Boi Hospital (6) and Viladecans Hospital (1).

It is the first fatal accident since the Catalan government assumed control of the service in 1978.

Ten fire brigades were dispatched to the scene, evacuating four passenger cars within 30 minutes, according to witnesses.

Catalan vice president, Jordi Puigneró, did not want to speculate on possible reasons for the incident, but did emphasize that at the moment the two trains collided they were traveling "very slowly."

Catalan president Pere Aragonès and Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez expressed their condolences over the death of the train driver.

Regarding the service on the Llobregat-Anoia line, there is a train service between Plaça Espanya and Cornellà stations and between Colònia Güell and Igualada and Manresa. Alternative road services are being offered between Cornellà and Colònia Güell.