Emergency services from Catalonia and France carried out a joint fire and passenger evacuation drill in the Belitres railway tunnel, between Portbou and Cerbère-sur-Mer. The overnight exercise involved the Government Delegation in Catalonia, the Prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales and ADIF, Spain's railway infrastructure manager.
The drill was designed to test the tunnel's Self-Protection Plan and to assess coordination between agencies on both sides of the border. It also included the rescue and assistance of simulated passengers.
The Directorate General of Civil Protection coordinated the operation. The exercise focused on how emergency teams would work together in a real incident, with communication and procedure checks forming part of the response.
Cross-border drills are important for infrastructure such as the Belitres tunnel, where emergency systems in Catalonia and France need to align quickly. They help identify any gaps before an actual railway incident.
For more Catalonia-wide updates, see our news coverage. You can also check the official sites of Catalonia's Department of Interior, ADIF and the Prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales for primary information.