A Rodalies commuter train struck a collapsed retaining wall near Gelida, northwest of Barcelona, on Jan. 20 at 9:23 p.m., killing 27-year-old trainee conductor Fernando Huerta and injuring 37 people, five seriously. Heavy rain is believed to have caused the wall to give way, and regional rail service was suspended, disrupting commuters. The crash occurred days after a separate Jan. 18 derailment in southern Spain that killed at least 43 people; investigators recovered the derailed train's black box, which reportedly captured warnings from the conductor. Political leaders and the Semaf union are demanding accountability and urgent safety measures as inquiries continue.
Trainee Conductor Killed Near Barcelona After Commuter Train Strikes Collapsed Wall — Days After Deadly Derailment
QUIQUE GARCIA/EPA/ShutterstockThe train crashed outside of Barcelona, Spain on Jan. 20.
A Rodalies commuter train struck rubble from a collapsed retaining wall near Gelida station, about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Barcelona, at 9:23 p.m. local time on Jan. 20, Spanish authorities said. The collision killed a 27-year-old trainee conductor and injured dozens of passengers and crew.
What Happened
A preliminary report from Spain's transportation ministry states the train ran into segments of a retaining wall that had fallen onto the track. Catalonian emergency medical services reported 37 people were injured in the incident, five of them in serious condition. Regional rail service on the line was temporarily suspended, creating major disruption for evening commuters.
QUIQUE GARCIA/EPA/ShutterstockRescuers inspect a commuter train that derailed between Gelida and Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, Barcelona in Spain on Jan. 21, 2026.
Victim Identified and Likely Cause
Officials identified the deceased as 27-year-old Fernando Huerta from Seville, according to media reports. Multiple outlets, including The Guardian, The New York Times and The Associated Press, have reported that heavy rainfall in the region is believed to have caused the retaining wall to collapse.
Official Responses and Ongoing Inquiry
"I deeply regret the death of one of the trainee machinists in the train accident at R4. I would like to express my condolences to his family. We also wish for the swift recovery of the people injured in the accident," wrote acting Catalan president Albert Dalmau Miranda on social media.
Authorities said investigations into the Gelida collision are ongoing. The incident comes days after a catastrophic derailment on Jan. 18 in southern Spain that killed at least 43 people. Investigators recovered the derailed train's black box, and recordings reportedly indicate the conductor warned the control center about technical problems shortly before that crash.
J J Guillen/EPA/ShutterstockThe Alvia high-speed train that collided with an Iryo high-speed train on the train tracks in Adamuz, Andalusia, Spain on Jan. 21, 2026.
Political and Labor Reactions
The accidents have prompted swift political and labor responses. Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente told reporters the two incidents are "completely unrelated," while the right-wing Popular opposition party and Semaf, the largest union representing train operators, have demanded accountability and urgent safety reforms. Semaf said it will seek criminal liability for those responsible for railway infrastructure safety and has called for immediate measures to prevent further tragedies.
Recovery and formal inquiries continue for both the Gelida collision and the Jan. 18 derailment, and rail services remain under review as authorities assess infrastructure and weather-related risks affecting the network.
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