Seventeen people were injured yesterday when a tourist train overturned in the middle of a tapas festival in the Spanish town of Cártama, Malaga. Sources confirm that among the injured were at least four British nationals, with two believed to be in serious condition. The accident occurred at around 6pm local time when the train, a popular open-air vehicle used to ferry tourists around the festival grounds, was navigating a sharp turn near the town square.
The cause is not yet fully determined, but preliminary police reports indicate a possible mechanical failure or driver error. Witnesses described hearing a loud screech before the carriage toppled over, throwing passengers onto the cobblestones. One young girl was trapped under the wreckage and had to be freed by rescue workers.
British tour operators, including TUI and Jet2, have now announced emergency reviews of all similar excursion services in the region. A senior executive from ABTA told me: 'This incident is deeply concerning. We have suspended all bookings for these novelty train rides pending a full safety audit.
' The Spanish authorities have opened a formal investigation and are examining the vehicle’s maintenance logs and the driver’s licence. This is not the first accident of its kind. In 2019, a tourist train crash in Barcelona injured 16 people, and unconfirmed documents suggest at least five similar incidents across Spain in the past five years.
The industry, which relies heavily on repeat British customers, now faces serious questions about enforcement of basic safety standards. I have uncovered internal memos from the regional tourism board that warned about ageing vehicles and lack of oversight. These concerns were apparently brushed aside.
Meanwhile, the local hospital is running out of beds for orthopaedic surgery. One British holidaymaker, who asked not to be named, told me he saw the driver struggling with the handbrake moments before the crash. The company responsible, Rutas Turísticas Cártama, has not responded to repeated calls.
I will be following the money. Who paid for the last safety inspection? And who pocketed the profits while cutting corners?
The answers will come.
