Spain’s rail network is reeling from its second deadly disaster in 48 hours. A commuter train driver has been killed and 37 passengers injured after their train slammed into a collapsed retaining wall near Barcelona, turning a routine evening commute into a scene of carnage.

The crash occurred between Gelida and Sant Sadurní, just 35 kilometers west of Barcelona. Authorities confirm the accident was triggered by fierce storms battering the Catalonia region, which caused a massive retaining wall to give way and crush the tracks moments before the Rodalies train arrived.

"A Week of Horror"

This tragedy strikes a nation already in mourning. It comes barely two days after a high-speed collision in Andalusia claimed multiple lives. The psychological toll on the Spanish public is immense, with questions now swirling about the resilience of the country’s infrastructure against extreme weather.

• The Rescue: Fire Inspector Claudi Gallardo detailed a harrowing operation where 35 crews worked through driving rain to extricate passengers. One victim was trapped in the twisted metal for hours.
• The Toll: Of the 37 injured, five are in critical condition. They have been rushed to Moisès Broggi and Bellvitge hospitals. The driver, whose identity has not been released, died at the scene.
• The Cause: Operator Adif has blamed the "unprecedented intensity" of the rainfall for the wall's collapse. Another train in the region also derailed earlier in the day after striking a rock, though no injuries were reported there.

Climate Reality Check

The incident serves as a grim warning of the dangers climate change poses to transport infrastructure globally. As storms intensify, aging walls and tracks built for a milder era are failing.

Spain has launched an urgent audit of its rail network, but for the family of the driver and the victims in the hospital, the answers will come too late. The Barcelona line remains closed, a silent testament to a week when the rails turned lethal.