At least 17 people have been injured, three seriously, after a tourist train derailed in the Spanish town of Cártama during its annual tapas festival. The incident occurred at approximately 6 p.m.
local time on Saturday, when a small, road-going train carrying visitors through the town’s narrow streets overturned near the main square. Emergency services, including ambulances and fire crews, arrived at the scene within minutes. Local authorities have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the cause of the derailment.
The train, a popular mode of transport for festival-goers, was reportedly carrying 30 passengers at the time. Witnesses described a sudden lurch and panic as the vehicle tipped onto its side. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals in Málaga and Antequera.
The tapas festival, a key event in the local calendar, draws thousands of visitors each year. A spokesman for the Andalusian government said that the festival would continue, but safety protocols would be reviewed. The incident comes amid a broader discussion in Spain about the regulation of tourist trains, which have been involved in several accidents in recent years.
The Guardia Civil has been tasked with determining whether mechanical failure or human error was to blame.
