[Ammi]

Spain train crash latest: ‘Gap in track’ identified as possible cause of collision as death toll climbs to 40…

Technicians investigating the cause of the deadly Spanish train disaster have identified a faulty joint on the rails, a source briefed on the preliminary probe said.

At least 40 people were killed on Sunday evening after a high-speed train derailed and crashed into an oncoming train, pushing it off the tracks near Cordoba.

Experts on site identified wear on the joint between sections of the rail, known as a fishplate, which they said showed the fault had been there for some time, the source told Reuters.

They found that the faulty joint created a gap between the rail sections that widened as trains continued to travel on the track.

The source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the technicians believe the faulty joint is key to identifying the precise cause of the accident.

It emerged today that train drivers’ union SEMAF had written to rail operator ADIF in August to warn about “severe wear and tear” on high-speed rail tracks, claiming their concerns had been overlooked.

The union had cautioned ADIF about potholes, bumps and imbalances in overhead power lines that it said were causing frequent breakdowns and damaging trains.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b2903588.html