Passengers due to travel between Barcelona and Madrid on high-speed services on Monday evening should check their journey before setting out, after a train fire near Ricla, in Zaragoza province, suspended the route in both directions. Renfe says it expects disruption to continue for the rest of the day, with trains stopped at several stations and scheduled afternoon departures cancelled.
Renfe and Adif, Spain's state rail infrastructure manager, reported that the affected AVE high-speed train left Madrid-Puerta de Atocha at 14:27 bound for Figueres. A fire broke out in the rear cab at about 16:05.
The 283 passengers on board were evacuated and no injuries were reported, according to Renfe and Adif.
Free ticket changes and refunds for affected passengers
Renfe said affected passengers can change or cancel tickets without charge while the disruption continues.
“At present it is not possible to determine how long the incident will last and the situation is expected to continue for the rest of today,” Renfe said.
Passengers can check the Adif network-status page for live information on incidents and train movements before travelling. Renfe has activated passenger assistance measures, including free changes and refunds for services affected by the suspension.
More Barcelona coverage on Barna.News: Fire on AVE Train Halts Madrid-Barcelona Service and High-speed rail resumes from Barcelona after storm.
Primary sources: renfe.com, grupo.renfe.com. Reported by Regió 7, Ràdio Ciutat de Tarragona, elnacional.cat, elpais.com, adif.es, elmundo.es, cadenaser.com, lne.es, ARA, ara.cat, diarimes.com, CatalunyaPress.cat, jaenhoy.es, rac1.cat, Betevé, Diari de Tarragona, catalunyapress.es, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, elconfidencial.com, El Nacional (CA), Diari ARA, Arnau Lleonart i Fernàndez, metropoliabierta.cat, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, elperiodicodearagon.com, Diari de Girona.
