Train crash in Spain: the key mistake that caused the tragedy

The instruction that the Atocha control center gave the Iryo train to continue moving caused the deactivation of the warnings that would have made it impossible for the AVE to continue at high speed, as explained at a press conference by the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, about the train crash in Spain.

Once the LZB system was down, something that has happened up to 170 times this year, the trains stopped in application of the automation that activates the train brakes for safety.

Both the AVE and the Iryo stopped within the same section of ASFA, which is the one that comes into operation when the LZB falls.

In this way, the AVE driver knew that there was another train occupying the same section.

However, when the control center gave the order to the Iryo to continue, the signal went from red to green and, therefore, the AVE already had a clear way to continue.

The problem is that the Iryo could not move forward, a fact that its driver conveyed to the control center, although he did not warn the AVE to brake as the Iryo was still stopped in front and the accident and tragedy occurred. dpa