2006 Valencia metro accident

The 2006 Valencia suburban accident occurred in Valencia, Spain's third largest city, on July 3, 2006, at 1 p.m. CEST [ [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/07/03/spain.crash/index.html Spain subway crash toll rises] at CNN.com] (1100 UTC) between Jesús and Plaça d'Espanya stations on the Valencia Metro mass transit system. At least 43 people were killed and more than ten were seriously injured. [Es icon [http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/07/03/espana/1151928125.html Mueren al menos 41 personas en un vuelco en el metro de Valencia] at "El Mundo", 3 July 2006]

"El País" reports that Valencian forensic scientists have identified all but one of the victims — a woman whose family has not claimed her. Twenty-one of the victims were from Torrent, a locality seven kilometres from Valencia and the train's destination. Five more victims were from the city of Valencia itself, and two were from Paiporta, which is also nearby. As yet, there is no information regarding the other casualties. [Es icon [http://www.elpais.es/articulo/espana/Aumenta/41/numero/muertos/accidente/metro/Valencia/elpporesp/20060704elpepunac_1/Tes/ Aumenta a 41 el número de muertos en el accidente de metro de Valencia] at "El País", 4 July 2006]

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, which occurred at a curve just outside of Jesús station. However, data from the train's black box showed that the train's speed at the derailment point was 80 km/h (50 mph), which means it was travelling at twice the normal 40 km/h speed for this curve. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5147022.stm Spain crash train 'was speeding'] at "BBC News"]

Defective wheels or the possible collapse of a tunnel wall were also being considered as possible causes. Both the Valencian government spokesman Vicente Rambla and Mayor Rita Barberá have called the accident a "chance" event. However, the trade union CC.OO. has accused the authorities of "rushing" to say anything but admit that Line 1 is in a state of "constant deterioration" with a "failure to carry out maintenance" . [Es icon [http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/07/04/espana/1151973731.html Los bomberos certifican que ya no hay cadáveres en el lugar del siniestro] , [http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/07/03/espana/1151940914.html Los bomberos certifican que ya no hay cadáveres en el lugar del siniestro] at "El Mundo", 3rd and 4th July 2006.]

It has been reported that a part of the wall in the tunnel between the Plaza de España and Jesús stations in the southwestern neighbourhood of Patraix may have collapsed, causing the derailment of one of the carriages, which in turn caused the carriage behind it to overturn.

The fire brigade, medics and local police went to the scene after a passenger in the crashed train called the emergency services at about 1:03 p.m. (1103 UTC).

The incident came days before Pope Benedict XVI was due to visit Valencia for the World Meeting of the Families, expected to be attended by one million pilgrims. It also coincided with the end to one of the pre-America's Cup 2007 match racings. Both events led to an increase in tourists in the area. The Pope offered his condolences and prayed at Jesús station, the scene of the accident.

ee also

*Valencia Metro
*List of rail accidents

References

External links

News media

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5141542.stm Train crash kills 35 in Valencia] at BBC News
* [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/07/03/spain.crash/index.html Spain subway crash toll rises] at CNN.com
*Es icon [http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/137300/0/descarrila/metro/valencia/ Al menos 30 muertos por el descarrilamiento de un vagón del metro en Valencia] at "20 minutos"
*Es icon [http://www.elmundo.es/albumes/2006/07/03/accidente_valencia/index.html Some images] at "El Mundo"
*Es icon [http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/07/03/videos/1151934459.html A video] at "El Mundo"
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5141748.stm In Pictures: Valencia train crash] at BBC News

Maps

* [http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.461279,-0.38259&spn=0.014082,0.028582&om=1 View of Jesús Station and surrounding area] at Google Maps
* [http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/val/valencia.htm Map of Valencia Metro]