Heavy rains have once again brought rail traffic between Córdoba and Jaén to a standstill in Andalusia. Flooding along the section between Montoro and Villa del Río on the Linares-Baeza line caused part of a retaining wall to give way and collapse directly onto the tracks. Repair crews are working to clear the debris, but there is no word yet on when service will be restored.
At the same time, in the province of Córdoba, the CO-4207 road between Montilla and Montalbán has been closed due to severe weather. The arroyo Salado has overflowed its banks, flooding several kilometers of roadway. Authorities are urging people not to take risks and to avoid attempting to cross submerged areas, even for those familiar with the region.
A week of disasters
These incidents follow a series of tragedies that have rocked Spain’s railway sector in recent days. Just a few days ago, a catastrophic accident occurred on the route between Andalusia and Madrid: two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz, killing 45 people and injuring more than a hundred. In the aftermath, rail connections between the regions were suspended, and the operator was forced to introduce emergency alternative routes for passengers.
Since January 19, a special traffic plan has been in effect to maintain at least some level of transport access between Andalucía and the capital. However, the full restoration of railway service remains uncertain—the infrastructure is in need of serious repairs, and weather conditions are only making matters worse.
Aftermath of the rainstorms
The relentless rain, which has battered the region for days, has become a real test for the transport system. Railway tracks are at risk due to water accumulation, and a wall collapse is just one of many incidents. Social media is flooded with photos of submerged platforms and eroded embankments, while residents debate how much longer it will take to return to normal life.
Authorities remind everyone: despite the absence of official storm warnings, conditions remain hazardous. Drivers are urged to avoid flooded roads, and train passengers should monitor schedule updates. Still, skepticism is growing—after a series of accidents and disasters, confidence in the rail system has been seriously shaken.
Chain of accidents
The current problems on the Córdoba–Jaén line are not the only recent incidents. In Barcelona, on the R4 Rodalies commuter line, a tragedy struck recently: a retaining wall collapsed onto a train, killing a young intern driver from Sevilla and injuring another 37 people to varying degrees.
Just a few days ago, in another part of the country, a FEVE narrow-gauge train collided with the extended boom of a construction crane. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but several passengers suffered minor injuries. All this paints a worrying picture: Spain’s railway infrastructure is clearly going through a rough patch.
Reaction and expectations
Passengers left stranded by the situation are forced to look for alternative ways to get around. Bus routes are overcrowded, and taxi prices are skyrocketing. Debates rage on social media over who is to blame for the string of accidents—is it natural forces, aging infrastructure, or inadequate oversight by those responsible?
While some wait for service to be restored, others are calling for urgent reforms and greater investment in safety. But as the rains continue and the aftermath of recent incidents is managed in emergency mode, Andalusia’s rail system remains in a constant state of crisis. And no one dares to predict when things might finally improve.
